20 September 2024 - 0 Comments

With 9 days to go before New Zealand takes on the official Guinness World Records® title for largest haka at Eden Park, New Zealand’s national stadium, on 29th September 2024, three-piece reo Māori metal band Alien Weaponry have joined the line-up of spectacular Kiwis artists performing at the record-breaking occasion.

Alien Weaponry shot to prominence in 2016, after becoming the first band to win both the Smokefree Rockquest and Pacifica Beats contests, with their unique brand of te reo-infused thrash metal. No emerging band has shaken up the international metal scene like Alien Weaponry, with their first album Tū released in 2018 achieving over a million times on Spotify in its first week of release. The band’s sophomore album Tangaroa was released in 2021, and has seen the band continue its extensive tours through Europe and North America, and achieve tours and festivals with the likes of Slayer and Gojira.

Alien Weaponry will be joining the 14 other previously announced artists performing at the event, a line-up that’s rarely seen outside of a festival circuit, including Anika Moa, Che Fu, Corrella, Georgia Lines, Hollie Smith, Kings, Majic, Paige, Pere, Ria Hall, Rob Ruha, Shepherds Reign, Tami Neilson and The Topp Twins.

“We are thrilled the Alien Weaponry boys are joining our kaupapa to reclaim the official Guinness World Records title for the largest haka. Despite their youth, they already have the best part of a decade’s experience behind them, and have taken te reo Māori across the world,” says Dame Hinewehi Mohi DNZM (Ngāti Kahungunu/Ngāi Tūhoe), cultural ambassador for Haka and co-founder of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust.

“We are humbled by the support and backing of Alien Weaponry, and the 14 other sensational artists already announced to be performing, who represent the breadth of New Zealand’s bilingual musical talent. There is something in this line up for everyone.It is a beautiful example of how music can connect us all,” says Dame Hinewehi.

“Celebrating and preserving the Māori culture will always be fundamental to our band, so when we were approached to be part of this kaupapa, we know it was something that we had to be involved in,” shares Alien Weaponry drummer Henry de Jong. “This is about more than just setting the record straight, this event is about returning the mana of this world record to the land of its origin, and we look forward to doing it alongside Aotearoa’s most celebrated musicians, sporting icons and kapa haka legends.”

The event will be broadcast by Whakaata Māori, the Haka Record’s official broadcast partner.

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is proud to be hosting this iconic event in Tāmaki Makaurau and support this unique celebration of Māori culture alongside other key partners including The Eden Park Trust, One New Zealand, Go Media, Te Taura Whiri I Te Reo Māori, Aktive and Les Mills.

Get ready to haka

To make sure everyone participating performs Ka Mate authentically and accurately all participants will have access to a series of training videos to learn how to perform Ka Mate, including the differences for tāne (men) and wāhine (women).The training videos are provided as part of your ticket price.

Tickets to participate in this family friendly event and record attempt are on sale now at $10 per adult, $5 for concessions. Get your tickets www.hakarecord.co.nz.

For those who don’t want to miss out of the biggest event of the year, spectator tickets are available at $10 for adults and $5 for concessions to witness this historic event. Get your tickets www.hakarecord.co.nz

Tickets include free public transport to the event.

If you are outside of Tāmaki Makaurau or unable to be at Eden Park on the 29th September, you can ‘Haka at Home’ as the event will be broadcast by our official broadcast partner Whakaata Māori and live streamed by Microsoft Teams.

Additionally, SOHO and Abstract Hotels are generously offering 15% off accommodation to ticket holders. To make a reservation, please use the code ‘HAKA’ at the time of booking online or book by calling the hotels direct.

The proceeds from ticket sales go to the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust. For more information on Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust and to learn how to donate, please visit www.rmtc.org.nz.

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