The Battle Against Globesity - HAKA in the House

Les Mills fitness warriors have a powerful new weapon in their battle against global obesity – a highly-motivating modern take on the traditional Maori haka. The awe-inspiring Maori dance made famous by New Zealand’s All Blacks rugby team, has been a vital feature of LES MILLS™ Quarterly Workshops for the past ten years.

Now LMI has its very own version - Tu Mai Nei Nga Toa E, which translates into English as “Standing Here are the New Warriors”. The Les Mills haka premiered at the Global Summit in a performance led by Steve Renata and a fearsome team of eye-rolling, foot-stomping LMI members. It was greeted with rapturous applause.

Steve says the LMI team wanted to create a haka with a clear, compelling message about overcoming obesity and sedentary lifestyles as one tribe. Best-known as a war dance performed by men, haka are also performed at ceremonies and as a welcome, and – like the LES MILLS haka - can be performed by a group that includes women.

To ensure all cultural traditions and protocols were adhered to Les Mills International commissioned Paroa Sharples (Ngati Kahungunu) New Zealand’s leading Kapa Haka specialist to choreograph and train the launch team.

The LES MILLS haka will become an important part of all Les Mills training sessions and the unique culture that is Les Mills.

Words to Les Mills Haka "Tu Mai Nei Nga Toa©"
Maori Version

Kaitataki:
Kia wiri
Hope
Ki raro
A kia mau Hi
Kia whakata hoki au i ahau
Hi Aue Hi
E nga matua tipuna
Tukua mai te kaha
Te rangatiratanga e

Kapa:
Tu mai nei nga toa e
Haka ana ki te noho mangere
Ko te whakaara ko te momona
Me pakanga, parekura e
Kia pakari hinengaro, tinana, wairua.
Ko te ha o tane e

Kaitataki:
I te wehenga ka puta hihiri e

Kapa:
Na reira, me puta to ihi e
Kia tu te wana
Kia tu te wero aue
Kia tu kotahi tatou
Ana, Ana, Ana,
Tenei whakatau. Hi.

English version
Leader:
Let your hands quiver by your side
Hands on hips,
Hands down by your side (still)
Be steadfast
Let me be at one with the earth
Hi aue hi
Ancient ancestors/warriors of old
bestow upon us strength and leadership

Group:
Standing here are the new warriors
We haka in fury at sedentary lifestyles
Obesity is our adversary
Let us do battle
Let your mind, body and spiritual essence be revitalised through the breath of life

Leader:
At the separation of earth from sky,all potential was released into this world

Group:
Therefore, let your true potential be known
Reveal your inner strength & power
Hold fast to the challenge
Let us unite as one global entity
Yes it is , Yes it is, Yes it is
This we decree.