The Haka Party Incident

An Auckland Theatre Company production

Original season co-presented by Auckland Arts Festival

The last New Zealand war took place in Auckland in 1979. It lasted three minutes.

The Haka Party Incident resurrects the eventful day when a group of University of Auckland engineering students rehearsing their annual tradition of a mock haka are confronted by the activist group, He Taua.

The incident sent ripples through the nation and changed race relations in New Zealand forever.

Crafted by filmmaker and theatre director Katie Wolfe (The Mooncake and the Kumara, Waru, He Māngai Wāhine, Artefact), The Haka Party Incident is verbatim theatre that innovatively combines documentary and kapa haka to thrilling effect.

* The Haka Party Incident includes some bad language, portrays institutional racism and cultural appropriation and historical examples of how haka and Te Reo Māori were incorrectly used and performed in the past.
Age 13+

Accessibility
We’re pleased to offer an accessible audio described performance as part of this year’s festival.