French Kiwis encourage New Zealand to reclaim largest haka record

Saturday, 21 September 2024

World record attempt for largest ever haka to take place at Eden Park

New Zealand will attempt to perform the world’s largest haka at Eden Park next Sunday.

The current record was set by the French in 2014 with 4028 participants.

French Kiwis are encouraging locals to take part and reclaim the record.

French Kiwis are throwing their support behind New Zealand’s attempt to break the record for the world’s largest haka.

Thousands of Kiwis will flock to Eden Park in Auckland on September 29 to perform a haka and try to reclaim the record, which is held by the French.

Gabriel Normand is the chargé d’affaires at the Embassy of France in New Zealand.

“We feel it's an amazing idea to organise the largest haka and to try to break the world record,” he said.

Gabriel Normand of the French Embassy says it’s an “amazing idea” for New Zealand to try and reclaim the record for the largest haka from France.

Read this story in te reo Māori and English here. / Pānuitia tēnei i te reo Māori me te reo Pākehā ki konei.

The standing record for the largest haka was performed by 4028 men and women in the south of France in 2014.

Normand said he was “personally surprised” to learn that France currently holds the record.

Ngāti Toa’s Taku Parai discusses the origins of the Ka Mate haka.

“Although haka is definitely a strong Māori and New Zealand cultural identity mark, the fact that France currently holds the record shows the depth of the cultural ties between France and New Zealand,” he said.

“For us, that's a very positive thing, that these cultural ties are so strong, especially through rugby.”

Normand said participants had the “very warm support of France”.

“I strongly encourage the participants of this event to succeed and to reclaim this title for New Zealand,” he said.

“I was also very happy to learn that the proceeds of this event will go to a good cause.”

Funds raised through ticket sales to the event will go to the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre to help it deliver services to those who need it most.

Participants will perform Ka Mate, the haka often performed by the All Blacks rugby team, at Eden Park next Sunday to try and break the record for world’s largest haka.

Normand said he would love to take part in the event but will be in Wellington at the time.

“I can assure you that not only will I watch you on TV, but I'll definitely be there in spirit,” he said.

25-year-old Sophie is a French teacher who moved to Auckland, New Zealand in 2022.

If you want to take part in the record-breaking haka attempt, remember to buy a ticket!

She was happy to see New Zealand was attempting to reclaim the record for the largest haka.

“I think that’s a good thing because it’s from here, it’s very cultural here, and that will be a great challenge,” she said.

Sophie, who didn’t want her last name used, said she didn’t know the current record was held by France, and wanted to take part in the event.

“It’s very surprising. I’ve looked at what was going on and I was thinking about going,” she said.

“If I’m not able to go I’ll look up online what happens.”

Tickets prices to take part in the world record attempt, which will be adjudicated by Guinness World Records, have been slashed in celebration of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week).

They are now available at $10 per adult and $5 concessions until Saturday.