What the New Zealand All Blacks’ Haka Can Teach Us About Presenting – Body, Mind, Words & Values

The New Zealand Haka – Body, Mind, Words & Values in Action

The ‘Haka’ is a traditional ancestral war cry, dance or challenge from the Maori people of New Zealand. This posture dance is performed by a group, with vigorous movements and stamping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment. A ‘Haka’ is normally performed immediately prior to the event that is to take place: e.g. sports matches, conferences, VIP functions, etc. There are thousands of Haka that are performed by various tribes and cultural groups throughout New Zealand. The best known Haka of them all is called “Ka Mate”. It was adopted by the New Zealand national rugby union team in 1905 and has been performed by this team at local and international matches ever since.

With the ‘Haka’ one thing is very clear. The mental state of the players, their body postures, the way they use their voice and the words they use are very closely linked. Great teaching, training and effective presentations are a lot like that. As teachers and presenters we need to use our body language to back up what we saying with our words and those words can be delivered in a way that is motivating to listen to depending on how we use our voices.

Moreover, our mental state is very much affected by our thought processes. The ‘Haka’ is a representation of the history, culture, beliefs and values of the Maori people and without these deep foundations the ‘Haka’ would never be what it is. To pull on an All Blacks jersey means that you are part of a long tradition. You have so much pride in what you do, you cannot but show it when you walk onto the rugby pitch.

Great, inspiring and charismatic presenters are a lot like that!

Inspiring and charismatic presenters have deeply held beliefs and values around teaching and they are the cornerstones for all they do in the classroom. What they say and how they say it and even how they use their body language is a direct representation of these deep foundations.

Séamus