You’ve seen it. The bugged eyes. The rhythmic chest-slapping. The tongue-poking defiance that makes every hair on your neck stand up. Most people think of the haka as just a pre-game rugby ritual, but honestly, it’s so much deeper than sports. It is a roar of survival. When you look at the words of the haka in english, you realize it isn't just a generic war cry meant to scare the Australian Wallabies or the South African Springboks. It’s a specific story about a man hiding in a hole, literally wondering if he was about to die.
The version most of us know—the one the All Blacks perform—is called Ka Mate. It was composed by Te Rauparaha, a chief of the Ngāti Toa tribe, around 1820. He wasn't on a rugby field. He was running for his life from enemies. He hid in a food storage pit (a pātaka) and waited. That tension, that "will I live or will I die" moment, is the literal foundation of the chant.
The Literal Translation of the Ka Mate Words
Let’s get straight to the text. If you want to understand the words of the haka in english, you have to break down the chant line by line. It starts with a leader’s call and then explodes into the group response.
Leader: Ringa pakia! (Slap the hands against the thighs!)
Leader: Uma tiraha! (Puff out the chest!)
Leader: Turi whatia! (Bend the knees!)
Leader: Hope whai ake! (Let the hips follow!)
Leader: Waewae takahia kia kino! (Stomp the feet as hard as you can!)
Then the whole group roars:
Ka mate, ka mate! Ka ora, ka ora!
(I die! I die! I live! I live!)
Ka mate, ka mate! Ka ora, ka ora!
(I die! I die! I live! I live!)
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Tēnei te tangata pūhuruhuru
(This is the hairy man)
Nāna i tiki mai whakawhiti te rā!
(Who fetched the sun and caused it to shine again!)
A hupane! A kaupane!
(Up the step! Another step!)
A hupane, a kaupane whiti te rā!
(Up the step, another step... the sun shines!)
Hi!
It sounds simple. Almost repetitive. But the context makes it heavy. Te Rauparaha was in that dark pit, hearing his pursuers above him. Ka mate—he thought he was dead. Ka ora—he realized they hadn't found him. The "hairy man" he mentions? That was Te Wharerangi, the chief who hid him and whose hairy legs Te Rauparaha could see as he looked up from the pit. When he finally climbed out into the daylight, he wasn't just happy; he was reborn.
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Why the "Hairy Man" Isn't Just a Weird Phrase
When Westerners first see the words of the haka in english, they usually chuckle at the "hairy man" part. It sounds a bit random, doesn't it? But in Māori culture, this is a reference to protection and mana (prestige/power). Te Wharerangi was a man of great status. By hiding Te Rauparaha, he was putting his own life and tribe at risk.
The "sun" in the chant represents life and hope. Climbing "up the step" is the literal act of Te Rauparaha climbing out of the dark hole and back into the world of the living. Every time a rugby player or a student at a graduation performs these moves, they are re-enacting a narrow escape from the grave. It’s powerful stuff.
Beyond the All Blacks: Different Hakas for Different Days
There is a huge misconception that there is only one haka. Honestly, that’s like saying there’s only one type of song. Haka is a generic term for a dance or challenge. You have haka taparahi (performed without weapons) and peruperu (with weapons).
The All Blacks actually introduced a new one in 2005 called Kapa O Pango. It was written specifically for the team by Derek Lardelli. The words of the haka in english for this version are much more focused on the team’s identity as New Zealanders. It talks about "the silver fern" and "this black land."
Kapa o pango kia whakawhenua au i ahau!
(Team in black, let me become one with the land!)
It’s more aggressive. More modern. It caused a massive stir when it was first performed because of the final gesture—a thumb drawn across the throat. While many saw it as a "throat-slitting" motion, the players and Māori experts explained it represents drawing "ha" (the breath of life) into the lungs. It’s about vitality, not murder.
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The Cultural Weight and Avoiding "Plastic" Haka
You can’t talk about these words without talking about cultural appropriation. It’s a hot topic. In the last decade, we’ve seen some pretty cringe-worthy versions of the haka. There was a ginger ale commercial. There were American high school football teams doing it with zero understanding of the te reo (Māori language).
Basically, if you’re going to use the words of the haka in english or te reo, you have to respect the tikanga (customs). You don't just "do" a haka because you want to look tough. You do it because you are honoring a moment, a person, or a challenge. In New Zealand, you’ll see it at weddings, funerals, and even to honor retiring teachers. It’s a tool for emotional release.
The power comes from the ihi. That’s the "shiver" or the thrill the performer feels. If you’re just shouting words you don't understand, the ihi isn't there. It’s just noise.
Common Mistakes People Make with the Translation
Translation is tricky. Māori is a metaphorical language.
- Thinking "Ka Mate" means "I kill you." It doesn't. It means "I die." It’s an internal reflection on the performer's own mortality, not a threat to the person standing opposite them.
- Missing the rhythm. The words are designed to be percussive. The "A hupane, a kaupane" part is meant to mimic the gasping and rhythmic movement of climbing.
- Ignoring the feminine. While we usually see men doing it, there are hakas specifically for women (haka wāhine). The words and movements are different, often focusing on different ancestral stories.
How to Respect the Tradition
If you’re a fan or a student of history, the best thing you can do is learn the story behind the words. Don't just memorize the sounds.
- Listen to the pronunciation. The vowels in Māori are constant. 'A' is "ah," 'E' is "eh," 'I' is "ee," 'O' is "or," and 'U' is "oo."
- Acknowledge the source. Mention the Ngāti Toa tribe. They are the legal guardians of the Ka Mate haka.
- Understand the "Hi!" That final shout isn't just a "yeah!" It’s the final exhale of breath, the sealing of the challenge.
The words of the haka in english reveal a story of resilience that anyone can relate to. We’ve all been in a "dark pit" figuratively. We’ve all had moments where we weren't sure if we’d make it through the night. When you shout those words, you’re tapping into that universal human experience of coming back into the light.
Next time you watch a performance, don't just look at the scary faces. Listen for the story of the "hairy man." Watch for the "climbing of the steps." Once you know what’s actually being said, the performance changes from a sports spectacle into a piece of living history.
To truly honor the tradition, start by researching the history of the Ngāti Toa iwi (tribe). If you ever intend to perform or teach any version of a haka, seek guidance from Māori cultural advisors to ensure the mana of the chant remains intact. Accuracy isn't just about the words; it's about the spirit behind them.