World's Largest Haka Dance, world record in Auckland, New Zealand

October 6, 2024

Auckland, New Zealand--A total of 6,531 people, including actor and director Taika Waititi, NZ band Six60 and US TV host Conan O'Brien, gathered at Eden Park stadium in Auckland to perform the traditional Maori dance, setting the new world record for the World's Largest Haka Dance, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

"Aotearoa has reclaimed the Guinness World Record for the largest haka from France after thousands performed Ka Mate at Auckland's Eden Park on Sunday. The previous official record was 4028, held by France since 2014," the RNZ reports.

"People traveled from far and wide to support the kaupapa, with American TV host Conan O'Brien, director Taika Waititi and boxer David Tua spotted in the crowd. Gates opened at 4.30pm before the haka attempt itself just after 8pm. Local entertainment included Six60, Alien Weaponry, Che Fu, Rob Ruha and the Topp Twins.

"Dame Hinewehi Mohi championed the world record attempt as part of the 20th anniversary of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust, named after her daughter Hineraukatauri, who has severe cerebral palsy."

"The largest Haka was achieved by 6,467 people at an event organized by Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust (New Zealand) at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand on 29 September 2024," the Guinness World Records says.

"Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust provide music therapy to those with special needs. The stadium, Eden Park, is often referred to as New Zealand's national stadium and is home to the All Blacks New Zealand national rugby team who perform the Haka - Ka Mate before every test match."

"Haka singular haka, in both Māori and New Zealand English) are a variety of ceremonial dances in Māori culture. A performance art, haka are often performed by a group, with vigorous movements and stamping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment.

"Haka have been traditionally performed by both men and women for a variety of social functions within Māori culture.[4][5][6] They are performed to welcome distinguished guests, or to acknowledge great achievements, occasions, or funerals.

"Kapa haka groups are common in schools. The main Māori performing arts competition, Te Matatini, takes place every two years. New Zealand sports teams' practice of performing a haka to challenge opponents before international matches has made the dance form more widely known around the world." (Wikipedia)

"New Zealand has reclaimed the world record for the largest mass Haka, with thousands packing a major stadium on Sunday for a resounding performance of the traditional Māori routine," the CNN reports.

"Historically a ceremonial Māori war dance, the Haka was intended as a challenge to opponents and a rallying cry before heading into battle, though today it is also used to celebrate Māori identity and culture and as a way of unifying people at times of grief.

"Some 6,500 participants joined the record-breaking feat in Auckland on Sunday, according to officials at Eden Park, the iconic stadium where the national rugby team the All Blacks have remained undefeated since 1994. The attendance beat record holder France’s 4,028 in 2014."

"When you think New Zealand, you might think All Blacks. And if you think All Blacks, you think haka.Thousands gathered in Eden Park in Auckland to break the record of the largest haka performance. France held the previous official world record since 2014," the BBC reports.

The haka is a ceremonial dance performed in a group, combining chanting, stomping and eye-rolling. The most popular haka is the "Ka Mate" one, traditionally performed by the All Black team prior to rugby matches. Sang in Maori, the lyrics say: "A step upward, another... the Sun shines!"

"More than 6,000 people took part in the event, surpassing the previous record set a decade ago in France. The haka is surely best known nowadays because of New Zealand's All Blacks performing it before rugby matches," the DW reports.

"Last Sunday, 6,531 people gathered at Eden Park stadium in Auckland to perform the traditional Maori dance. With this number of participants, they surpassed the previous record of 4,028 people. Although the organizers had hoped to reach 10,000 participants, the final number was enough to set a new world record."

"Aotearoa, New Zealand has reclaimed the world record for the largest haka participation with more than 6,000 people performing the Māori ceremonial dance and taking the title from France. On Sunday, the record was smashed at Eden Park stadium in Auckland, where thousands of people gathered on the rugby pitch to participate in the haka," the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports.

"A Guinness World Record adjudicator confirmed 6,531 participants had performed the Ka Mate haka, a rendition made famous by the All Blacks rugby team, who used to perform it to the opposing team before a test match.

"There were a few famous faces within the crowd to help reclaim the world record, including actor and director Taika Waititi, NZ band Six60 and US TV host Conan O'Brien."

"The record was broken in deafening fashion at Eden Park rugby stadium in Auckland, where thousands of men, women and children combined on the pitch to complete the traditional native challenge involving vigorous movements, stamping feet and rhythmic shouting," the

"An adjudicator confirmed that 6,531 participants had performed the 'Ka Mate' haka, a rendition made famous by the All Blacks rugby team, who perform it immediately before Test matches.

"The Ka Mate haka was composed around 1820 by the warrior chief Te Rauparaha to celebrate his escape from a rival tribe's pursuing war party. Under New Zealand law, a Maori tribe, the Ngati Toa, based in Porirua just outside Wellington - are recognized as the cultural guardians of the Ka Mate haka."

Photos: World's Largest Haka Dance, world record in Auckland, New Zealand

(1-4) Facebook/Eden Park