Alien Weaponry to Join line-up of Kiwi Artists Performing at Haka World Record at Eden Park, Auckland
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On Sunday, Sept 29 New Zealand will aim for the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® title for largest haka at Eden Park, New Zealand’s national stadium. Alien Weaponry will be joining the 14 other previously announced artists performing at the event, a line-up that’s rarely seen outside of a festival circuit, including Anika Moa, Che Fu, Corrella, Georgia Lines, Hollie Smith, Kings, Majic, Paige, PERE, Ria Hall, Rob Ruha, Shepherds Reign, Tami Neilson and the Topp Twins.
“We are thrilled the Alien Weaponry boys are joining our kaupapa to reclaim the official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the largest haka. Despite their youth, they already have the best part of a decade’s experience behind them, and have taken te reo Māori across the world,” says Dame Hinewehi Mohi DNZM (Ngāti Kahungunu/Ngāi Tūhoe), cultural ambassador for HAKA and co-founder of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust.
“We are humbled by the support and backing of Alien Weaponry, and the 14 other sensational artists already announced to be performing, who represent the breadth of New Zealand’s bilingual musical talent. There is something in this line up for everyone. It is a beautiful example of how music can connect us all,” says Dame Hinewehi. <
Tickets to participate in the event and record attempt are on sale now at $10 per adult, $5 for concessions (purchase tickets below).
To make sure everyone participating performs Ka Mate authentically and accurately all participants will have access to a series of training videos to learn how to perform Ka Mate, including the differences for tāne (men) and wāhine (women). The training videos are provided as part of your ticket price, and all ticket proceeds go to Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust. Spectator tickets are also available which include free public transport to the event, and if you are outside of Tāmaki Makaurau or unable to be at Eden Park on the 29th September, you can ‘Haka at Home’ as the event will be broadcast by our official broadcast partner Whakaata Māori and live streamed by Microsoft Teams.
The Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust was established in March 2004 by singer Dame Hinewehi Mohi, who named it after her daughter, Hineraukatauri who has severe cerebral palsy. Hineraukatauri and thousands of other New Zealanders, have found a way to express themselves through music therapy. RMTT services are delivered via a clinical practice rooted in the humanistic model of music therapy which recognises each individual client’s uniqueness and worth. Their mission is to work with any person in need, to enrich and develop their lives through music.
“Celebrating and preserving the Māori culture will always be fundamental to our band, so when we were approached to be part of this kaupapa, we know it was something that we had to be involved in,” shares Alien Weaponry drummer Henry de Jong. “This is about more than just setting the record straight, this event is about returning the mana of this world record to the land of its origin, and we look forward to doing it alongside Aotearoa’s most celebrated musicians, sporting icons and kapa haka legends.”
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