Flash mob in Auckland at seven. Do you haka?
It strikes fear into the hearts of rugby players around the world, and now it’s surprising shoppers and stopping traffic in malls, on streets and over viaducts throughout the city of Auckland. It’s the haka, but this time there's a twist. It's a flash mob haka, where “bystanders” seemingly come from nowhere to perform the war dance in public spaces that so far have included Sylvia Park, Queen Street and Auckland’s viaduct.
A man named Tapeta Wehi is the brains behind the haka fun; he says he always thought flash mobs in airports were cool and figured a flash mob haka would be “awesome”.
Wehi is also tutoring the group that’s 54 Māori strong. They range in age from 16 to 35 and come from every iwi (tribe) throughout the country. You’ll even spot Korotangi - the son of the current Māori King (Tuheitia) - in the “mob” of haka dancers.
The group is performing for the Tournament opener at the Rugby World Cup 2011, but they’re also fervent fans who hoped to take the already rising World Cup fever to new heights. Mission accomplished. The flash mob haka has become an Internet sensation: Performances posted on YouTube have collectively amassed over 400,000 views and counting. There’s even a Flash Mob Haka Facebook page.
The haka itself has become an ingrained tradition that will take center stage at Friday night's RWC2011 opener when the All Blacks facing off against Tonga. Oh, and what a fitting start the haka will be.
Few international sporting teams possess such a powerful pre-match ritual. The players use it to mentally and physically prepare for the match/battle and to put opponents off their game. It’s a legacy that’s been handed down to every generation of All Blacks and Kiwis. Current Team Captain, Richie McCaw, says he watched the team on TV when growing up and all he wanted to do was perform the haka - something most New Zealand children learn in their backyard, Māori or not. There's a great video about the whole haka tradition of here.
The New Zealand Herald found the flash mob haka group practicing atop Maungawhau (Mt Eden) this week. Wehi is keeping tight-lipped about what they'll perform at the opening ceremonies, but he said Aucklanders should keep their eyes peeled for more street performances. Guess YouTubers should keep their eyes peeled, too. About the World Cup buzz in Auckland, Wehi says, “there’s a bit of a vibe going, eh? We're hoping to represent Māoridom hard."
You'll find videos of the flash mob haka all over the Internet, but we have a Sylvia Park performance right here: