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Story: Kapa Haka

War dance, 1844

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War dance, 1844

This painting by English artist George French Angas of a haka at Ōhinemutu, on the shore of Lake Rotorua, is based on an 1844 drawing by Joseph Merrett. It shows a group of naked warriors raising weapons in a haka posture. These haka developed co-ordination and fitness, and prepared warriors psychologically for imminent battle.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: D-010-001

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

Valance Smith, Kapa Haka – What is kapa haka?, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/43920/war-dance-1844 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Valance Smith, published 15 January 2014, updated 23 October 2024.