Home - Kiwi Songs - Maori Songs - Search - Donate

I first wrote this page in 1999. Some actions have changed in the past few years as the ABs have developed a more theatrical performance. Now there are new websites where you can learn the actions. My art is singing, not dancing, so please don't email me asking for actions of Kapa o Pango or other Maori dances.

If you have a fast broadband internet connection -
- To learn how perform Ka Mate, this high-tech Flash animation at newzealand.com is great.
- And to watch it being performed by All Blacks, search on Youtube.

But if you only have a 56k dialup internet connection, I have left these low-tech diagrams for you.

This is from Anderson's book printed from 1960. You can print these diagrams off as a couple of A4 pages. Since Taine Randell's captaincy, the All Blacks have used more chest-slapping and judo-block squats in their performance, and they don't all rise like the new morning sun at the finish.

Click on this picture

I've modified the syllables of this diagram to match what the ABs chant, but the stick figures are not accurate.

Traditionally the All Blacks got straight into the Ka Mate haka, and when they finished they lept into the air, as in this 1937 picture.	......
		Nowdays they begin by squatting and holding defensive arm blocks while going Huh!     And they don't do that final sunburst jump any more.

As well as doing the arm and leg actions, remember the facial expressions, like Bucky Katt here!