Ko te Ara a te Kīngi (the King’s Way) is a haka developed by Kereama Nathan for KingsWay School. Prayerfully considered and actualised over several months, Kereama was guided by three key passages of scripture (1 Samuel 16:7; Ephesians 6:11; Matthew 28 16-20), the school’s mission statement and special character when developing the most complex haka he has created for a school.

Capturing themes of God’s inspiration, power in His name, and being a bold witness, Kereama, along with Daniel Bennett and Gideon Robertson, worked throughout 2023 to train a group of young men from Middle and Senior School to perform Ko te Ara a te Kīngi for God’s glory. Joseph Wingrove, Head Boy for 2024, is the inaugural kaea (haka leader), carrying with him the weight of honour imbued in the words and actions of Ko te Ara a te Kīngi.

The school is deeply grateful to Kereama for his Godly leadership and vision for the haka at KingsWay. We thank him for his time and willingness to serve the Lord in this way. We are also incredibly grateful to Daniel and Gideon, who went above and beyond to work with the students to bring the haka to fruition. Nikki Clark and Amanda Haley should also be acknowledged for upholding the process in prayer and being part of the staff steering the way forward.

To the young men who have pioneered Ko te Ara a te Kīngi, may the journey you have walked resonate with you always. May you fully grasp the true meaning of the themes of the haka and be blessed as you faithfully perform it in the years to come.

The Lord has blessed KingsWay with a truly unique taonga (gift). We give Him all glory and honour and are thankful.

Tūturu tonu a Ihu Karaiti inanahi, aiānei, ake, āmine! Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, forever, amen!

Some lines from Ko te Ara a te Kīngi:

Ko te Ara a te Kīngi e ngunguru nei (koropikoa te ao katoa)
KingsWay exclaims (let all the earth bow down before him)
Ko te Ara a te Kīngi e ngunguru nei (hakamoemitia te ao katoa)
KingsWay exclaims (let all the earth praise him)
Ko te rangi kei runga, te whenua kei raro (koropikoa te ao katoa)
Heaven on high, the earth below (let all the earth bow down before him)
Ko te Atua kei runga, he tāngata kei raro (hakamoemitia te ao katoa)
God on high, the people below (let all the earth praise him)
Āna kss ana, kss ana, kss ana hī (Absolutely, yes, yes, yes, hī)