Last updated on October 28, 2025
No. While haka is widely encouraged in schools as part of cultural learning, certain traditional haka—especially iconic forms like Ka Mate—are protected under law and tikanga. Schools must respect cultural protocols and, in some cases, provide attribution or seek guidance from iwi guardians.
A Dance of Identity and Respect
Picture a school assembly where students stamp their feet and chant in unison, the energy of haka filling the hall. It’s powerful, it’s proud, and it’s deeply Māori. But can schools simply perform any haka without asking? The short answer: not quite. In Aotearoa New Zealand, haka is more than a performance—it’s a taonga (treasure) carrying ancestral stories, tribal identity, and cultural rights. That means permission and protocol matter.
The Cultural and Legal Landscape
Haka is integral to Māori performing arts and education. The Ministry of Education actively promotes kapa haka as a way to affirm Māori identity and enrich learning. Through initiatives like Te Ao Haka in the NCEA curriculum, students engage with Māori language, tikanga, and performance traditions. Schools are encouraged to teach haka, but with cultural integrity—acknowledging origins and meaning.
However, not all haka are equal. The famous Ka Mate, composed by Ngāti Toa chief Te Rauparaha around 1820, is protected under the Haka Ka Mate Attribution Act 2014. This law requires attribution when Ka Mate is used in certain contexts, such as commercial publications or films. While educational use is generally exempt, the Act underscores a principle: haka belongs to iwi, and its use should honor that connection.
Why Permission Matters
Beyond legal requirements, tikanga (customary practice) guides respectful use. Many haka are linked to specific iwi or occasions—war challenges, welcomes, or laments. Performing them without understanding or acknowledgment can be culturally inappropriate. Te Arawhiti, the Office for Māori Crown Relations, advises early and inclusive engagement with Māori when using cultural expressions. For schools, this means consulting local iwi or following established guidelines to ensure authenticity and respect.
Education and Empowerment
Far from restricting haka, these protocols aim to protect its mana (prestige) while enabling learning. Kapa haka in schools boosts confidence, strengthens identity, and fosters language revitalization. Research shows Māori students involved in kapa haka have higher engagement and achievement. For non-Māori students, haka offers a gateway to understanding Aotearoa’s heritage. The key is partnership—schools working with whānau and iwi to keep haka alive in ways that honor its roots.
Practical Guidance for Schools
If your school plans to perform haka:
- Use resources from NZQA and NCEA’s Te Ao Haka standards for teaching and assessment.
- Attribute Ka Mate when required and avoid commercial misuse.
- Engage with local iwi for guidance on appropriate haka and tikanga.
- Embrace kapa haka as a living art form, not just a performance piece.
These steps ensure that haka remains a source of pride, not controversy.
Looking Ahead
As New Zealand strengthens its commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and cultural inclusion, haka will continue to thrive in education. The challenge—and opportunity—is to balance accessibility with authenticity. When schools honor both, haka becomes more than a dance; it becomes a bridge between cultures and generations.
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Sources
Haka Ka Mate Attribution Act guidelines – Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
https://www.mbie.govt.nz/business-and-employment/business/intellectual-property/haka-ka-mate-attribution-act-guidelines
Ongoing
Te Ao Haka | NCEA – Ministry of Education
https://ncea.education.govt.nz/arts/te-ao-haka
Ongoing