"There was a lot on the line.” 

When a sentence like that is uttered on the turf of Eden Park, most would presume it was in the context of protecting national pride of the rugby variety.

But on this occasion, it was about restoring a record that has long sat uncomfortably for many - and putting on a display of Aotearoa culture and passion that was designed to get the world's attention.

New Zealanders - and others - from all walks of life came together to perform what is now officially the world's largest haka at Auckland's pre-eminent stadium on Sunday evening (29 September) -doubling as a creative event and an excellent fundraising (and profile-raising) opportunity for an organisation that has long used the arts to make a difference in the lives of many.

For a decade, this particular Guinness World Record title, bafflingly, belonged to France - after 4,028 men and women performed it at Stade Amédée-Domenech in 2014. But that cultural wrong has been righted, with the Eden Park official count set at 6,531, performing the country's best-known haka Ka Mate, composed by Te Rauparaha, chief of Ngāti Toa Rangatira.

It's not New Zealand's first attempt to bringing back the haka record - administrative delays to a 2017 mass haka in Rotorua meant it was not officially verified by Guinness World Records. But this time, adjudicators from the famed organisation have given it the seal of approval.

The funds raised in the process were also of note - with the proceeds going to the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust -  co-founded by Dame Hinewehi Mohi and named after her daughter Hineraukatauri -on its 20th-anniversary celebrations, to support its important mahi in communities across the motu.

“What started as an audacious idea a year ago to reclaim the record has now become reality. There was a lot on the line,” says Dame Hinewehi (Ngāti Kahungunu/Ngāi Tūhoe), who is also a cultural ambassador for HAKA and the driver of the Waiata Athems movement through her role with APRA AMCOS.

“Haka is an important part of our culture and returning the mana of this world record away from the French and back to the land of its origins and ensuring it was performed correctly and with integrity was vital.

“This momentous event has enabled us to showcase our rich cultural heritage to the world and reinforce the deep connection we all share. I am so proud to be a New Zealander tonight and hope that everyone can celebrate what we’ve achieved together."

Helen Te Hira, Director of Māori Outcomes at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited states “Haka, with its collective energy and spirit, embodies the values of whanaungatanga and manaakitanga that are at the heart of our Māori culture. Bringing the record home not only highlights the strength and unity within our communities but also showcases the rich cultural heritage of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on a global stage.”

It was a star-studded affair, with some of the leading musical talents in Aotearoa involved in turning the event into a musical festival-worthy line up. Alien Weaponry, Anna Coddington, Che Fu, Corrella, Georgia Lines, Hollie Smith, Kings, Majic, Nikau Grace, Paige, PERE, Ria Hall, Rob Ruha, Shepherds Reign, Six60, Tami Neilson and the Topp Twins all took to the stage to entertain those who turned out to create haka history.  

“A special thank you to Six60 for their transcontinental effort of making it back to Aotearoa from Europe in time to play us into the electric record attempt this evening,” says Dame Hinewehi. “We couldn’t have done this without the support of our sponsors, event partners, musicians and everyone who participated and came along to watch.”

There were plenty of heavy hitters in the crowd, including Taika Waititi, the man who changed the way the All Blacks do the haka - Wayne "Buck" Shelford, David Tua (literally a heavy hitter) and American late-night TV legend Conan O'Brien, who only just arrived in the country.

While those in attendance were responsible for the record, the actual tally of those involved is estimated to be closer to 2,500 with the Haka at Home campaign seeing a Teams call with participants from around Aotearoa and the globe (Ireland, Canada and Italy among the countries them). It was also shown live on Whakaata Māori and livestreamed on Māori+.