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BBC lists NZ’s haka record among 2024 happiest stories

The BBC has named Aotearoa reclaiming the Guinness World Records title for the World’s Largest Haka as one of the ‘Happiest Stories of 2024’.

The title was reclaimed from the French on September 29, 2024, when more than 6,500 people gathered at Eden Park, Tāmaki Makaurau to bring the mana of this record back home as well as to raise funds for the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust.

Its recognition by the BBC places it alongside global milestones such as the reopening of Notre Dame and the “People’s Olympics” in Paris.

“Being recognised by the BBC brings even more global attention to the Haka as a powerful celebration of our national identity,” said Deborah Pead, founder of Pead. “This acknowledgment is also a tribute to the incredible team of people who turned Dame Hinewehi Mohi’s vision into a reality.”

Record restored

Pead credited a host of contributors for the event’s success: “It took an army to make this happen, including Extended Whanau, BallyHoo Events, Cornerstore, UFO Rodeo, Inside Out Productions, the Eden Park Trust team, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and a host of volunteers, led by Dame Hinewehi and Pead. Remarkably, all agencies donated their time to honour the significance of this record to New Zealand.”

Pead concluded: “The fact that the French held this record for ten years is a conversation for another day, but it feels deeply gratifying to see this record restored to Aotearoa – the true home of Haka.”

Listen to the BBC segment at 22:22 here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0kcnj0v.

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