Former All Blacks support charity event with haka

Carlos Spencer and Aaron Mauger, former All Blacks now playing for premier teams in the UK were special guests at the Leicester Football ground in a charity dinner for the Gary Rees Testimonial year. Being in the middle of an All Blacks tour in the UK, the organisers wanted something special to mark the event.

Manaia were able to add to the occassion by welcoming Carlos and Aaron onto the stage with haka powhiri. We spoke about haka, the meaning and story behind the haka Ka Mate, the haka performed by the All Blacks but composed and performed first by Te Rauparaha, chief of Ngati Toa. Carlos and Aaron then joined us in a performance of the haka which was a great way to finish and give back to the organisers and audience. Amelia Benskin of Champions Uk Plc said "It really was amazing to watch and you performed so well and the fact that both Carlos and Aaron came up to join you was just brilliant."

Manaia help celebrate Fisher and Paykel 10 years in Germany

Fisher & Paykel, one of New Zealand's truly global companies celebrated 10 years since the establishment of their German office. The celebrations were held in Dusseldorf at the Medica exhibition, the largest exhibition for medical technology and equipment in the world.

Fisher & Paykel's stand was one amongst thousands but being themed on New Zealand rainforest and featuring performances by Manaia it certainly stood out amongst the rest and attracted plenty of visitors. Manaia's role was to support the exhibition and provide some well needed entertainment. With some of our top Maori performers sourced from Germany and the UK, Manaia performed haka, waiata, poi, demonstrated weaponry and Maori traditional instruments. We spoke about our culture, our country and our traditions. And of course, the audience were given the chance to talk to Fisher & Paykel staff about what they can offer.

The 10th birthday was celebrated on a boat, the MS Heidelberg on the River Rhine with a gala dinner with the New Zealand Ambassador with some magic from Manaia.