What happens on the day

Every performance is the sharing of energy and a process of encounter — from our performers to all those in attendance — whether through singing, the rhythm of the poi, or the power of the haka.

Our kaihaka arrive and prepare in the space, to understand the space for this encounter and where the line of approach will be, whether on stage or at ground level.

The performance will generally open with karanga (the call of welcome), whakaaraara (the heralding call), and haka or songs of welcome. If the occasion calls for it we open with a wero (a formal challenge), where a dignitary or guest is called to take up the challenge on behalf of the group and engage in the formalities of Māori culture. It takes ninety seconds — though it can be longer — and it changes the temperature of a room completely.

The haka performance itself runs between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on the length of time agreed. In between items we narrate, inform, educate and entertain in what we call info-tainment: the sharing of Māori culture, beliefs, customs and stories through haka performance, interactive engagement and quick-wit narration.

New to the artform? Start with what is a haka.

Where you might find our services

The practical detail

Performance length	Typically 10 to 20 minutes, and can run longer or shorter — the length is agreed with you.
Number of kaihaka	From a small group to a full performing team, depending on the size of the room and the occasion. Our minimum group is four to six people, agreed and discussed with you depending on the occasion.
Space required	A cleared floor with room to advance. Solid, level ground — a raised stage works if it is deep enough to move forward on.
Indoor or outdoor	Both. Outdoors we ask for shelter from high wind so the vocals carry.
Sound	None required for most rooms — a haka is unamplified by nature. For large halls we ask for area microphones.
What we provide	Our skilled kaihaka, all costume and taonga, guitars and traditional instruments, the performance and the knowledge attached to it.
What the venue provides	Cleared floor space, a private changing area, and water.
Filming	Permitted by arrangement. We ask to agree in advance how footage will be used.
Where we travel	London and across the UK as standard. Europe and worldwide by arrangement.

Where our people have performed

Selected venues and occasions our people have performed at, across the UK and Europe:

Our people have performed for events by New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Olympic Committee, Adidas, the BBC Singers and Grammy award winner Christopher Tin.

Questions we are asked

How long is a haka performance?

Most corporate performances run between 10 and 20 minutes. A single haka takes two to three minutes; the range comes from how many pieces are performed and whether a wero and kōrero (narration) are included. For a conference opening, around 15 minutes including the explanation is the usual shape.

How far in advance do we need to book?

Four to six weeks is comfortable for a London event and lets us tailor the haka to the occasion. We can often work to much shorter notice, and we would rather you make contact to see what we can do. Peak periods — late November and December, and the summer conference season — fill earliest, so those are worth securing further ahead.

Can you perform outdoors?

Yes. We perform outdoors regularly, at sports grounds, courtyards and open-air ceremonies. We ask for firm level ground and some shelter from high wind. The haka is unamplified and wind carries the voice away from the audience.

Do you travel outside London and the UK?

Yes. We are based in London and travel across the UK as a matter of course. We also perform across Europe and worldwide — we have performed in Chicago, Munich, New York, Japan and Paris among others. Travel and accommodation are quoted separately for events outside London.

Can we film the performance?

Usually yes, by arrangement. We ask to agree in advance how the footage will be used, because a haka is not stock content and there are contexts in which we would decline. Internal use, event highlights and press coverage are all normally straightforward. We would also ask for a copy of the performance for our own marketing and social media.

What does a haka performance cost?

It depends on four things: how many kaihaka perform, how long the performance runs, where the event is, and whether a workshop is included. Tell us those and we will send a written proposal. We would rather quote accurately and in accordance with your needs.

How many kaihaka come to a performance?

It depends on the haka and the room. For a small occasion it may be three to four kaihaka. For larger events with a full group we would look at eight to ten, and can increase that. We will discuss our understanding of the occasion with you and recommend the number.

Is a haka suitable for a small room, or a very large audience?

Both. We have performed in boardrooms of twenty and in halls of two thousand. The number of kaihaka and the haka chosen change with the room; the standard does not.

Do you provide the venue?

No — we come to yours. We will walk the space beforehand and tell you honestly where the haka should be performed and where your audience should stand, to gain the best experience for those in attendance.

What do you need from us on the day?

A clear floor space to perform, somewhere private to change and prepare, and five minutes of the running order that is genuinely ours. We do not need a stage, a sound system or a rehearsal with your guests.

Is it appropriate for a non-Māori organisation to host a haka?

Yes, when it is done properly. Haka is a form of address — it marks an occasion, it honours people and place, and it elevates an occasion. It is offered by Māori, performed by Māori, and explained so that everyone in the room understands what has been said and why. Depending on the occasion, we will decide whether haka is culturally appropriate. That happens by way of a conversation to understand the purpose of your event and what you are hoping to achieve from it. Every haka performance is the sharing of energy and a process of encounter, from our performers to all those in attendance.

What happens to the haka after the day?

The kōrero stays with your people. We tell your team what was performed, what the words mean and who it was for, so that what happened in the room can be repeated accurately afterwards rather than half-remembered.