Tourism New Zealand 

The origins of the haka are rich in folklore and legend that reflects Maori heritage.

This online module developed for newzealand.com illustrates how New Zealand has grown up immersed in the haka since first encounters between Maori and early European explorers, missionaries and settlers.

Tourism New Zealand wanted to profile the New Zealand All Blacks and to give an overview of the significance of this sport to New Zealand's cultural identity.

The module was to provide background information about the origins of the haka. It also aimed to explain how the All Blacks came to adopt this haka and why they perform it at the beginning of every game.

Appropriate to the level of awareness of an overseas audience, the module was to contextualise the mythological and historical origins of the haka and to reinforce that Maori cultural traditions are a vibrant and valued aspect of contemporary New Zealand society.

Shift conceived of the module as two main components. The primary component contains richly illustrated written content adapted from the book 'Haka: a living tradition' by Wira Gardiner.

The second component features a commissioned performance of the haka presented as an interactive game in order to convey how the haka should be performed.

In addition to conveying historical and cultural information, Shift was also required to integrate links to tourism operators or organisations that are providing an authentic experience that is relevant to the module; in particular, to situations where visitors can experience Maori cultural performance.

The module uses Flash technology to deliver a powerful live performance of the haka with Maori and English text scrolling in time with the actions.

After watching the performance, users can test their own ability to activate the correct sequence of actions. Keys - numbered 1 to 8 - each represent a particular action. By pressing the appropriate key at the precise moment, the user can coordinate the appropriate action with the corresponding chant.

The informational component of the module is divided into four components: Icon, History, Artform and Renaissance. Each component is enriched with historical and contemporary images, audio and video clips and a commentary by Robin Brooke, All Black lock from 1992 to 1999.

"Through striking simplicity and bi-lingual content, Shift conveys the power of the haka as a symbol of New Zealand identity and the way it has been embraced cross culturally". - Joris de Bres, the Race Relations Commissioner who used the haka feature from newzealand.com in a presentation to the United Nations Regional Experts Forum in Brussels, December 2003.

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