All Blacks can keep using haka - iwi

The All Blacks. Photo / Getty Images

The All Blacks can continue to intimidate the opposition by performing the haka after months of secret talks over the trademarked traditional dance ended in agreement.

The New Zealand Rugby Union and lower North Island iwi Ngati Toa are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding today, acknowledging the All Blacks' right to perform the haka Ka Mate.

The NZRU said no money had changed hands, The Dominion Post reported.

It was not known if Ngati Toa would receive a cut of revenue from advertising using Ka Mate.

Chief executive Steve Tew said the agreement confirmed Ngati Toa's support for the All Blacks' Ka Mate haka.

"It gives the NZRU some certainty regarding its ongoing use of Ka Mate, while at the same time providing some assurances to Ngati Toa that use of the haka will be respectful."

Ngati Toa filed an application to trademark four key phrases of the haka last year, after a bid to gain control of the rights to the entire text of Ka Mate failed.

The NZRU unionfiled documents of possible opposition to the Intellectual Property Office since then, to allow time to settle a deal with Ngati Toa.

Ngati Toa kaumatua and spokesman Taku Parai said the deal formalised an informal agreement.

"We've always accepted the All Blacks performing Ka Mate, so this is just putting a formal acknowledgment in place. It really has always been about ensuring a certain level of protection of the haka from misappropriation, from the misuse of it ... the All Blacks do it in a respectful manner."

- NZPA