Media Release:
05 May 2011
Super-Sized Haka Set to Send Powerful Message to Christchurch

New Zealand’s leading airport transfer service, Super Shuttle, has joined forces with South Island Iwi, Ngāi Tahu, to inspire Kiwis everywhere to take part in a super-sized haka and send a powerful message of strength and support to the people of Christchurch.

The ‘Super Haka’ will take place at 12.30pm on Thursday, 19th May, and run for two minutes in four major New Zealand cities – Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin – simultaneously.

New Zealanders can participate in this inherently Kiwi event, facilitated by Super Shuttle, by registering on www.superhaka.com and remind our Cantabrian family they are not alone in their time of need; while also raising some money for their ravaged city.

The ‘Super Haka’ will be a Ngāi Tahu haka performed en masse and is a call of support, from those outside the region, for Ōtautahi (Christchurch). The message of this simple haka is best demonstrated in its first line; ‘Ōtautahi, māraka, māraka’ – a rallying call for Canterbury and its people to rise up once again and to remain resolute as they rebuild.

Kiwis based overseas or those who simply can’t attend the Super Haka events here in New Zealand, can still participate by performing their own breakaway ‘Ngāi Tahu Haka’ event (their local time 12.30pm 19th May). Everyone is encouraged to record their own events and upload their haka on www.superhaka.com to share their message of support.

With a team of Christchurch employees affected by the earthquake, Super Shuttle’s Directors, Peter King and Graeme Dobson, explain that the idea for a Super Haka grew out of a determination to help boost the community’s morale as the city begins its long and arduous rebuild.

Graeme Dobson was visiting Super Shuttle’s Christchurch office when the 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit:

“After experiencing the total turmoil, destruction and anxiety first hand, we were determined to do something more than just donate money” says Graeme. “We wanted to not only ignite our own team but other Kiwis, even those living abroad, to get behind Christchurch as a city and send a loud message of support to them while demonstrating what can be achieved when we all pull together.”

Already active in their work for Canterbury earthquake victims by spearheading the Māori Recovery Network, Ngāi Tahu says it has been overwhelmed by the continuous support from the New Zealand people.

“During the recovery we have been promoting the message ‘Aroha ki te tangata’ – ‘Love to all people’,” says Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu’s Kaiwhakahaere (Chairman), Mark Solomon. “With initiatives like Super Haka, it shows that New Zealand businesses and communities are still standing firmly behind the people of Christchurch and that helps to make us stronger during this difficult time,” he says.

The ‘Super Haka’ will be open to people of all ages, from all walks of life and a gold coin donation for Christchurch at any one of the four major events will be appreciated. Direct donations can also be made online at www.superhaka.com. All proceeds collected will be donated to the Christchurch Mayoral Fund.

Those who register at www.superhaka.com, participate at any of the four ‘Super Haka’ events or record their own Ngāi Tahu Haka event, will go in the draw to win prizes as an extra thank you from Super Shuttle, for joining in on this ‘Super Haka for Christchurch’.

Notes to Editors:

Interviews:
Graeme Dobson and Peter King Co-owners of Super Shuttle are both available for interview. Both are happy to explain, why as a relatively small company, they are facilitating this super-sized show of support for Christchurch and its people and of their first hand experience on the ground down there.

At the time of the earthquake Super Shuttle played an integral role in the aftermath operations across the city and even within the CDB cordon. They were a key component of the City’s transport and rescue infrastructure. Vans were accredited to operate within the central CDB cordon assisting the Police, Rescue and Assessment teams. In addition Super Shuttle vans were also on contract to the Japanese embassy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and supported the Ministry of Social Development teams deployed to Christchurch (as well as numerous other agencies and organisations) as they struggled with the enormous tasks associated with a catastrophe of this scale.

‘Super Haka for Christchurch’:
What: The ‘Super-Haka’ will take the form of the Ngāi Tahu haka and aims to unite Kiwis in New Zealand (and around the world) in a 2min show of support for Christchurch and its people.

Donations by all those participating will be welcome at the events or via the dedicated website: www.superhaka.com . All proceeds collected will be donated to the Christchurch Mayoral Fund.

Where: Four simultaneous Super Haka events will take place in New Zealand at:
Auckland: Aotea Square, The Edge, City Centre
Wellington: Odlins Plaza, Wellington Waterfront
Christchurch: CBS Arena Carpark, Jack Hinton Drive, Addington
Dunedin: The Octagon, City Centre

If Kiwis are unable to join in on any of these four simultaneous events, they can perform their own Ngāi Tahu Haka wherever they like, their local time 19th May @ 12.30pm. This includes Kiwis, anywhere in the world. All breakaway haka events can be shared by uploading videos to: www.superhaka.com and for a chance to win cash prizes.

When: New Zealand: Thursday 19th May @ 12.30pm
The World: Local time in all countries 19th May @ 12.30pm

Wet Weather Date! If the ‘Super Haka’ is struck by wet weather, the
wet weather contingency date is: Friday 20th May @ 12.30pm.

© Scoop Media