According to Māori mythology, the sun god, Tama-nui-te-rā, had two wives, the Summer Maid, Hine-raumati, and the Winter Maid, Hine-takurua. Haka originated in the coming of Hine-raumati, whose presence on still hot days was revealed in a quivering appearance in the air. This was the haka of Tāne-rore, the son of Hine-raumati and Tama-nui-te-rā.

For generations, haka has been viewed by many as an act of aggression that precedes war or battle. This type of haka (Peruperu) is only one of the many types of haka that exist. Today, haka constitute an integral part of formal or official welcome ceremonies for distinguished visitors or foreign dignitaries, serving to impart a sense of the importance of the occasion.

Haka are also used to acknowledge and celebrate great achievements, important occasions and are often seen upon a sports field, at schools, weddings, birthdays and funerals.

Recently, a rousing haka was performed to kīnaki (support) 2015 Head Monitor Jake Bailey after his speech at senior prize-giving. There were many pūkana (facial distortion) and whētero (protrusion of the tongue) used. Neither were used to express aggression, anger or warlike intention, rather, their use was a celebration of the triumph of life over death.

For this very reason, Keagan Girdlestone, an Old Boy, was welcomed back to Christchurch from Italy on Friday, 19 August, after a serious bicycle accident which almost claimed his life.

Christchurch Boys' High School have used haka to welcome the 2016 Year 9 cohort and upon the rugby field as a positive expression of pride and identity. Pūkana, whētero and the co-ordination of all parts of the body were used to express courage, joy, pride, purpose and a sense of inter-generational and intra-generational belonging.

Ko te kura o Ngā Tamatāne o Ōtautahi, e pāorooro nei, i au, au, auē ha!
Christchurch Boys' High School echoes from every generation…indeed!
Ko te kura o Ngā Tamatāne o Ōtautahi, e pāorooro nei, i au, au, auē ha!
Christchurch Boys' High School echoes from every generation…indeed!

Indeed, even during times of war haka was not always used for the purposes of battle preparation.

The picture below shows William Ferguson Massey, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, and his deputy in the war-time coalition Joseph George Ward, visit the Pioneer Māori Battalion on the Western Front (30 June, 1918) and the men perform haka to greet the esteemed visitors from their homelands.

The lead picture shows members of the Maori Battalion, who had fought in Greece, perform a Haka for the King of Greece at Helwan, Egypt, June 1941.

Because some forms of haka have a close connection to war, there has been much conjecture surrounding the appropriate use of haka within schools, especially when two groups are performing haka at the same time. However, this is neither disrespectful, nor culturally insensitive.

To respond to haka in kind is in fact, hugely complimentary. It is a fitting, apt and proper recognition of the mana (status) and ihi (awe) of your adversary. Very famous examples have been viewed worldwide during the Rugby World Cup since its inception in 1987.

Haka is now recognised worldwide as an expression of power and identity.

The increasing use and passion surrounding the Christchurch Boys' High School haka and the school song are a truly bi-cultural and unique approach that many other schools are lacking, and are in awe of.