British Haka for Business kicks off UK Entrepreneurship week

British Haka for Business by 30 Entrepreneurs at Piccadilly Circus kicks off UK’s Global Entrepreneurship Week - 7:00am Monday 17th November 2014

LONDON – The UK’s Global Entrepreneurship Week 2014 (www.gew.co) will kick off at 7:00am Monday November 17, 2014 with 30 entrepreneurs and businessmen performing a ‘British Haka for business’ on the steps of the Eros Statue in Piccadilly Circus.

The City of Westminster have authorised the activity which will lead off a week of activities in the UK to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week, which has thousands of participants from over 150 countries. This is the first time the Haka has ever been performed at this iconic location in London.

Entrepreneurs and businessmen performing the Maori Haka, made famous by the All Black rugby team, has become increasingly popular in Britain with many large corporations such as BT, Vodafone (1,400 staff performed the Haka together), ICI, News UK (publishers of The Sun, The Times) all engaging their staff in the truly inspirational activity. All have been put through their moves by Manaia/ Hakaworks (www.hakaworks.com) led by New Zealander and Corporate Lawyer Karl Burrows. Mr. Burrows says: “The Haka energises, strengthens and unifies. It’s a scintillating experience”.

Organiser Richard J. Hillgrove VI, Chairman of 6 Hillgrove Public Relations has represented the PR for BBC Dragons’ Den stars Duncan Bannatyne OBE, James Caan and Simon Woodroffe OBE. Hillgrove has represented 10 of Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire stars. He says: “Success as an entrepreneur or businessman today can be hindered largely by F.E.A.R (“False Entities Appearing Real”). “I learnt this from a Maori healer visiting Somerton in Somerset”.

Hillgrove, who is of Danish and Maori descent, says: “The Haka was originally performed by Maori warriors before a battle, enhancing their strength and prowess to intimidate the opposition. Similar to what needs to happen in business in this ever competitive global business arena”.

The event will be filmed in one of the world's most recognisable locations, on the steps of the Eros Statue at Piccadilly Circus.

The Haka for business is a challenge to overcoming fear and rising to challenges as represented in Haka - traits needed to be a successful global entrepreneur.

—ENDS—

WEBLINKS:

Manaia / Hakaworks performing the Haka on the BBC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJceCLPu4tg


NOTES TO EDITORS:-

ABOUT GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK:

www.gew.co
Global Entrepreneurship Week is the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare. During one week each November, GEW inspires people everywhere through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators. These activities, from large-scale competitions and events to intimate networking gatherings, connect participants to potential collaborators, mentors and even investors—introducing them to new possibilities and exciting opportunities. Millions who had never before considered launching their own ventures soak up advice and inspiration from the likes of Richard Branson, Michael Dell and Muhammad Yunus. Thousands of brand new startups spring to life through bootcamps like Startup Weekend and competitions like Startup Open. Hundreds of universities strengthen connections that help them commercialize research from their labs. Researchers and policymakers engage in discussions around the world to examine the underlying policies necessary to promote entrepreneurial growth. And serial entrepreneurs share their expertise through activities like EO24, run by the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, and practical training courses like FastTrack. Meanwhile, world leaders and local elected officials alike have embraced the campaign as they look to fuel the economic engine of high-growth startups in their own countries and communities. During 2012 alone, presidents and prime ministers from 20 countries supported Global Entrepreneurship Week while 93 ministers from 54 countries participated by speaking at activities during the Week, filming statements of support or otherwise endorsing the national campaigns in their countries. GEW is more than just an awareness campaign. It is a platform for connection and collaboration—engaging all players along the entrepreneurship spectrum in strengthening ecosystems around the world.

ABOUT THE ‘KA MATE’ MAORI HAKA:

No other international sporting team possesses a pre-match ritual as powerful as the famed All Black Haka. The Haka is an ancient posture dance of the New Zealand Maori and was traditionally used to prepare a war party for conflict. It would be performed either on the battle field, prior to engagement with the enemy or as the war party was leaving their own village enroute to a confrontation. The ferocious nature of the Haka was important in creating a united frenzy among the war party to mentally prepare them for the reality of war and, equally as crucial, readying the muscles for the impending conflict. The original All Black Haka, Ka Mate, Ka Mate, was composed in the early 19th century by famous Maori warrior chief of the Ngāti Toa Rangatira tribe, Te Rauparaha. It is performed for different reasons, such as celebrating success, welcoming guests or as a pre-battle challenge. Haka is not performed only by men. Some are performed by women and some simple Haka are performed even by children. Peruperu (War Haka) were originally performed by warriors before a battle, affirming their strength in order to intimidate the enemy.
It is said that around 1820 the Ngati Toa chief, named Te Rauparaha, composed Ka Mate. The Maori people were wrapped up in a bloody inter-tribal war between the Ngati Toa and Waikato tribe. Once when Te Rauparaha was chased by his enemy, he came to chief Te Wharerangi asking for protection. Eventually, he agreed to help him and hid him in a kumara (sweet potato) pit with his wife sitting over the entrance. This strange act has interesting explanations. Firstly, no self-respecting warrior would dare to hide beneath the genitalia of a woman, but that really confused the enemy. Secondly, the female organs were believed to have a shielding effect. As the pursuers arrived, Te Rauparaha muttered, “Ka Mate! Ka Mate!” (I die! I die!); when the enemy had gone, he murmured again, “Ka Ora! Ka Ora!” (I live! I live!); and continued, “Tenei te tangata puhuruhuru nana nei i tiki mai whakawhiti te ra! (“This is the hairy man who has fetched the sun and caused it to shine again!”). From the more traditional Ka mate, Ka mate - first performed before an international rugby fixture by the New Zealand Native Team in 1888 - to the recently composed Kapa o Pango, the Haka plays an integral role in physically and mentally preparing All Black teams for battle.
The words of the Ka Mate Haka are as follows:

Ka mate, ka mate! ka ora! ka ora! (Will I die, Will I die)
Ka mate! ka mate! ka ora! ka ora! (Will I live, Will I live)
Tēnei te tangata pūhuruhuru (This is the hairy man)
Nāna nei i tiki mai whakawhiti te rā (Who brought the sun and caused it to shine)
Ā, upane! ka upane! (A step upward, another step upward!)
Ā, upane, ka upane, whiti te ra (A step upward, another... the Sun shines!)

ABOUT MANAIA / HAKA WORKS:
www.hakaworks.com
Manaia is a 100% Maori owned and operated London based company, which specialises in providing professional Haka workshops, traditional Maori performances and Maori cultural knowledge. Our mission is to engage, entertain and educate the international community about New Zealand Maori culture. Manaia was established in the UK in 2004. Our team bring many years of professional experience and expertise and we perform Haka and traditional Maori performances in the United Kingdom, Europe and the Middle East.

ABOUT 6 HILLGROVE PUBLIC RELATIONS:
www.6hillgrove.com
6 Hillgrove Public Relations is the world's only truly cutting edge, brave and controversial (when necessary) public relations consultancy. Chairman Richard J. Hillgrove VI is a New Zealander who has lived in Britain since 1999. He is of Danish and Maori descent. Hillgrove was born in Christchurch, New Zealand and now lives in Somerset and London.

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