The most famous haka in New Zealand is ka mate.
Ka Mate is thought to have been composed by Te Rauparaha a maori chief of the ngati toa tribe.
Around 1820
some members of the enemy tribes Ngati Maniapoto and Waikato
were chasing Te Rauparaha. Te Rauparaha made his way
to the Taupo and asked help from
the chief Tuwharetoa, who refused.
While roaming around the lake Taupo,
Te Rauparaha was almost caugh, they were
lying and waiting for him. Fleeing for his life, Te Rauparaha
arrived at Motuopuhi, and asked the local chief Te Whareangi
for protection. After some hesitation, Te Whareangi permitted
Te Rauparaha to hide in his kumara pit.
Te Whareangi's wife, Te Rangikoaea then sat over the kumara
pit.
When his enemy's thought that they lost him and left Te Rauparaha got out and chanted ka mate and that is how it as compesed.
Maori
Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka
ora! Ka ora!
Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora!
Tenei te tangata puhuru huru
Nana nei i tiki mai, Whakawhiti te ra
A upane! ka upane!
A upane! ka upane!
Whiti te ra! Hi!!
Ka mate! Ka mate! Ka ora! Ka ora!
Tenei te tangata puhuru huru
Nana nei i tiki mai, Whakawhiti te ra
A upane! ka upane!
A upane! ka upane!
Whiti te ra! Hi!!
English
I die! I die! I live!
I live!
I die! I die! I live! I live!
This is the hairy man
Who has caused the sun to shine again
The Sun shines! Hi!
I die! I die! I live! I live!
This is the hairy man
Who has caused the sun to shine again
The Sun shines! Hi!