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Story: Leisure in traditional Māori society – ngā mahi a te rēhia

Haka and moari (swing)

In the top image, people swing around on a giant moari. Below, men perform a haka while holding paddles from their waka. Both were popular leisure activities in the 19th century.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: PUBL-0014-53

by George French Angas

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Ross Calman, Leisure in traditional Māori society – ngā mahi a te rēhia – Te whare tapere, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/zoomify/40193/haka-and-moari-swing (accessed 25 June 2026).

Story by Ross Calman, published 3 December 2012.