Kapa Haka | NPR

We perform haka as an expression of pride. Our ancestors are from the Pacific and we took on a particular form of haka when we arrived in New Zealand. It was used as a traditionally in warfare and so it was about not only intimidating the opponents but it was about how do we actually prevent degenerating into a battle and so if you could actually put fear into your opponent the idea was that the fight wouldn't actually happen and so when we perform haka we're not only representing ourselves but we represent our ancestors.