Arizona Wildcats to discontinue pre-game Haka

The Wildcats attracted negative attention after they performed the Haka dance before their game against the Bruins.

Among the reactions to the awkward attempt has been a petition, signed so far by over 700 people, urging the University of Arizona to leave the performing of the haka to those who can perform it accurately and understand its historical significance.

The version led by Wildcats offensive lineman, Lene Maiava – one of several Polynesian players on the college’s football roster – is the Ka Mate haka, which was composed around 200 years ago.

Footage of the University of Arizona Wildcats went viral on the internet in past weeks, showing their players using the Te Rauparaha composition as a means to prepare for their matches, a tradition the team took on in 2009, giving players of Polynesian heritage the chance to show their pride and culture.

Arizona’s football players will no longer perform a pregame haka dance after a New Zealand expatriate in California started a petition to stop it. Video of the haka was seen by people not only in the United States but in New Zealand and other countries.

Ngati Toa runanga chair Taku Parai described the performance as “pathetic” and thought they should stop until they could do the haka justice.

Doing the dance before sporting events was popularized by the All Blacks, New Zealand’s national rugby team.

“They certainly don’t do it properly”, he said.

“Even though that intent remains the same today, we’ve been made aware that a segment of the population is unhappy that the haka is being performed”, the university added. There is also a “How to Haka” tutorial on the Arizona Wildcats YouTube page that was uploaded on August. 28, 2012. “As a result, we have chose to discontinue the activity”. “Just out of courtesy, you would expect them to do it at least 98 per cent properly, if not a hundred per cent”.

“I hope that they are able to move forward and find a way that their Polynesian students can celebrate their culture more appropriately – maybe having a haka written for them, or given that many of their students are Samoan, a Siva Tau”.