Watch: Haka performed for student named High School Dux goes viral
Thursday, 14 November 2024
A haka performed for a student after she was named the Dux has gone viral on social media.
As Naomi Sai stood on stage to accept the award, her peers rose in unison and performed a haka as a tribute to her academic success.
The video has gained nearly 3 million views and more than 300k likes.
A heartwarming haka performed in honour of 18-year-old Naomi Sai has got millions of views online after she was named the Dux of Flaxmere College in Hastings.
The video, shared on TikTok, has captivated viewers, racking up nearly 3 million views and over 300,000 likes.
In New Zealand, the title of dux is awarded to the student with the highest academic achievement of the year. For Sai, who moved to New Zealand from the Philippines in August 2023, receiving the title was a moment of immense pride.
As she stood on stage to accept the award, her peers rose in unison and performed a haka.
Sai posted the video on TikTok with a caption in Filipino, expressing her gratitude for the experience.
The translation of her words read: “An honour for the Philippines! I still can’t believe it, it's like a dream.”
“Thank you so much, New Zealanders, for this opportunity! It’s truly a privilege to experience the culture of New Zealanders, especially the kapa haka from Maori culture.”
She added: “I want to acknowledge the people who helped and guided me along the way, and to God! And of course, to my followers, I love you. Thank you for the support!”
The video quickly gained widespread attention, with many TikTok users commenting on the powerful gesture.
One wrote, 'I would cry if they did a haka for me,' while another added, 'It was so kind of them to perform the kapa haka for you—what an honour, you’ve truly earned it.'
Others expressed similar awe, with one comment saying, 'Every time I watch a haka, I get goosebumps.'
Sai told the New Zealand Herald that she felt “so honoured, appreciative and grateful to all the people that performed” for her, adding that it was 'so special because I didn’t expect that at all.'