Flash-mob haka welcomes overseas football players

TOUCH OF CULTURE: Tony Makiha from Waima was part of the group that performed a haka at the canopy bridge. PHOTO/JOHN STONE

An impromptu haka organised in central Whangarei to create hype ahead of the U-20 football World Cup matches at Toll Stadium attracted a decent turnout but most chose to be spectators rather than participants.

The occasion drew about 150 people to the canopy bridge at the Town Basin yesterday afternoon as notifications about the haka on Facebook went viral. But only about 30 took part in the haka.

Players from Myanmar and United States who are staying at the nearby Kingsgate Hotel did not attend the haka.

Students, especially some who are part of their schools' kapa haka group, came along with their parents.

Whangarei mum Joanna Kaipo brought her daughter, Samaria, along after learning about the haka on Facebook.

After the haka, Ms Kaipo said it was different as she thought people could join in midway through the event.

Kelly Cameron is one of those volunteering at the matches and said a flash mob was perhaps Whangarei's worst-kept secret.

Kaari Schlebach, one of the organisers, said the idea behind the haka and other activities around Whangarei came from a group of residents who felt it would be great to involve the community in welcoming the teams and officials to the district.

The group has decorated Whangarei Airport and the Cameron St Mall and today, it would organise a post-match non-alcoholic function in the mall where a local band would play.

"The teams have not only been welcomed by officials of the tournament but by the heart of the community which is the people," she said.