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When people contact me for a haka workshop, they often tell me that they are looking for an energizer or a teambuilding activity. The haka indeed brings people together, creates energy, and leaves a lasting experience. But the haka is much more than that. It belongs to the Māori and it is a living tradition. The haka is a sacred practice that carries deep cultural meaning. To reduce it to just “Teambuilding” or an “Energizer” is to miss its real power.
The haka is not about entertainment; it is about transformation. It challenges us to step into our strength and our purpose. It invites us to connect with others on a deeper level and to lead. The experience goes beyond the workplace.
The Cultural Roots of the haka
Sometimes, people ask me to do a haka on the spot. It happened to me last year when I was at a wedding. This made me uneasy. It felt wrong to perform a haka for the newlyweds, so I kindly declined. At other times, I have to refrain from doing a haka in public because it’s not the right place and time.
->Reading tip: The haka is More than a Little Dance
The haka belongs to the Māori. It is an expression of identity. Community Iwi, Ancestry Tupana, and spirituality Wairua play an important role in this sacred dance. When I do haka alone or with a group, there’s always a preparation ritual for me. I ask for permission and acknowledge the land Whenua where I am.
Although the haka involves a lot of shouting and expressions of the body, it’s all about respect. You can’t use the haka as a quick energizer or a ‘fun activity”. It has to be done correctly, and the participants need to know what the words in te reo Māori mean. You need time to teach people this so that they can experience a haka.
->Reading tip: The three Phases of a haka
What Makes it Different from Teambuilding
I was having lunch with a colleague of mine at one of my special places. I was telling her about the fact that I felt uneasy calling the haka a teambuilding activity. She agreed and said that you can not compare the haka with an activity where participants need to build a bridge using spaghetti. That made sense to me.
Teambuilding is often about fun, trust, learning a skill, and collaboration. Examples are laser games, an escape room, or building a raft together. For me, this is entertainment and bonding. And please, do not misunderstand: these activities serve a purpose, and I enjoy doing them as well.
The haka, on the other hand, includes ritual elements (chants, gestures, rhythm) that invite participants to step into something bigger than themselves. Most teambuilding doesn’t have this sacred dimension. The haka is a powerful expression of emotion, unity, and purpose. It’s not designed to entertain but to connect body, mind, and spirit Wairua.
Teambuilding is often limited to work contexts (“How can we collaborate better at the office?). The haka transcends that since it can touch on personal growth, cultural respect (and not only for the Māori culture), and live values. This reaches far beyond organizational goals.
The Transformative Power of the haka
The haka is about transformation and empowerment. My goal with haka is that the experience is more sustainable than playing a game or sharing a meal. What people often experience during or after a haka is, of course, energy, but also courage, goosebumps (I have lots of them), and a sense of presence. Some participants tell me that they feel more connected, more joyful, and sometimes they cry. The haka is also an expression of emotion. People can cry during or after a haka workshop. For me, their sobbing is their longing for their potential they once had, but lost along the way of life.
Why it Matters for Teams
Most teambuilding activities create laughter, trust, and energy for a short time. When a haka is taught respectfully, it can transform how people see themselves and each other, creating a deeper sense of courage, presence, and shared purpose. My mission is that people remember haka at key moments in their lives, and that they can remain calm, focused, connected, and ever powerful when facing challenges.
The haka connects individuals to something greater than themselves. The other day, someone walked up to me to tell me how amazed he was that the whole room (70 leaders of a hospitality company) actually participated in the haka. He expected that quite some people would stand and observe (& laugh) while we were dancing. That was not the case at all. The haka created a cohesive team where everyone belongs by being themselves. This is because the haka helps people align as one group with shared energy, and you know that you’re not alone.
Ki te kotahi te Kākaho, ka whati; ki te kāpuia, e kore e whati
(If a reed stands alone, it can be broken; if it’s in a group, it cannot)
The haka includes lessons in leadership, collaboration, and purpose by becoming aware of yourself, your environment, and the people around you with whom you connect.
->Reading tip: The Legacy of Leadership: Lessons from the All Blacks
Conclusion
The haka is much more than a teambuilding activity. It is a traditional Māori practice with deep cultural and spiritual roots. It is not a game or energizer. It is a powerful expression of identity, unity, and purpose.
When done with respect, the haka invites participants to step into something bigger than themselves. It creates lasting courage, presence, and connection that extends far beyond the workplace.
If you want to experience the deeper power of the haka with your team, let’s talk!
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Arohanui,
Freek
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