thumb|330x330px|Tairawhiti Society perform action songs at Whakarewarewa Model Village, Rotorua Maori Concert January 1975.

Kapa haka is the term for Māori action songs and the groups who perform them. The phrase translates to 'group' () 'dance' (). Kapa haka is an important avenue for Māori people to express and showcase their heritage and cultural Polynesian identity through song and dance.

Modern kapa haka traces back to pre-European times where it developed from traditional forms of Māori performing art; haka, (weaponry), (ball attached to rope or string) and (traditional Māori songs). There is a regular national kapa haka competition currently called Te Matatini that has been running since 1972.

A kapa haka performance involves choral singing, dance and movements associated with the hand-to-hand combat practised by Māori in mainly precolonial times, presented in a synchronisation of action, timing, posture, footwork and sound. The genre evolved out of a combination of European and Māori musical principles. The current form relates to kapa haka concert groups that first appeared in the 1860s especially in Rotorua to cater to tourists.

Music for kapa haka is primarily vocal. All song types, with the notable exceptions of mōteatea and haka, are structured around European-style harmony, frequently with guitar accompaniment and acoustics. Spurts of haka-style declamation are woven into the songs, as are dance movements, facial expressions and other bodily and aural signals unique to Māori. Song poetry is completely in Māori and new material is continually being composed.

The sole musical instruments used in kapa haka performances are the guitar, the conch shell, the sounds of and (see below) and body percussion, especially the stamping of feet.

Every two years, kapa haka performers from all parts of New Zealand compete in Te Matatini, New Zealand's annual, national Māori performing arts competition for adult groups. There is also a national secondary schools kapa haka competition Ngā Kapa Haka Kura Tuarua o Aotearoa that used to be part of Polyfest, where the level of performance is also very high.

Music and dance styles used by kapa haka

thumb|Young Māori girl performing with [[Poi (performance art)|poi]]

thumb|Young Māori man with [[taiaha performing kapa haka]]

Kapa haka are mixed groups of anywhere between several and dozens of people, that may or may not wear a costume. These groups comprise individuals linked in some way, be it by extended family group, (tribe), school, or some other association. Performers are largely synchronised, but with men sometimes doing some actions while women do others. A few performers have particular roles, such as the (male and female leaders), often moving among the performers to urge them on. Composers, arrangers, choreographers and costume designers also play major roles.

Not all Māori performance types are used by kapa haka. Below are brief descriptions of the ones that usually appear. See Māori music for a wider discussion of Māori music.

  • are choral pieces used to warm up the vocal cords and introduce the group to the audience.

References

  • Maori.org kapa haka page
  • Research in New Zealand Performing Arts – a free online research journal that discusses contemporary kapa haka and related Māori performing arts.
  • New Zealand Post Kaumātua Kapa Haka Slideshow of images from the 2014 New Zealand Post Kaumātua Kapa Haka, Te Papa Channel