It’s a sight you’ll never forget: 1700 schoolboys performing the haka as a final farewell for their maths and physical education teacher, who died in New Zealand last week.
Dawson Tamatea, 55, taught at Palmerston North Boys’ High School, on New Zealand’s North Island, for 30 years.
In a show of respect – and powerful tribute – his students lined the school courtyard as his hearse rolled in and performed the country’s traditional dance. Watch it here:
“This was a very emotional and powerful performance,” the school wrote when they uploaded the video onto YouTube. “We are extremely proud of our boys’ performance and we know that Mr Tamatea would be too.”
While many of us are used to seeing the haka performed as a war cry before a rugby union match, the dance is often used at cultural events and funerals to honour those who have passed away.
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