Kapa haka is the term for Māori action songs and the groups who perform them. The phrase translates to 'group' 'dance'. Kapa haka is an important avenue for Māori people to express and showcase their
Tairawhiti Society perform action songs at Whakarewarewa Model Village, Rotorua Maori Concert January 1975.
Young Māori girl performing with poi
Young Māori man with taiaha performing kapa haka
Poi is a performing art and also the name of the equipment used for its performance. As a skill toy, poi is an object or theatrical prop used for dexterity play or an object manipulation. As a perform
Kapa haka
…dance. Modern kapa haka traces back to pre-European times where it developed from traditional forms of Māori performing art; haka, mau rākau (weaponry), poi (ball attached to rope or string) and mōteatea (traditional Māori songs). There is a regular national kapa haka competition currently called Te Matatini…
Traditional poi performance using short style poi
A dance using traditional poi at Tamaki Māori Village
Early 20th-century Māori poi at the South Canterbury Museum in Timaru, New Zealand. They are of raupō and stuffed with newspaper.