The New Zealand Māori Council is planning a nationwide haka to support the Muslim community following the Christchurch terror attack.
Chair Sir Eddie Durie said the haka will be out of respect for the people lost in the attack.
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A gunman killed 50 people at the Deans Ave and Linwood Ave mosques on Friday March 15. The haka will be held one week after the attack, on Friday March 22.
"Come out of your whare and your marae, your workplaces and communities in a national moment of Haka - to show our respect and aroha for those who have been lost," Sir Eddie said in a statement.
Council executive director Matthew Tukaki said the group had been working with a number of organisations and communities to work out what to do and the conclusion was a haka would be appropriate.
"The haka is a powerful reminder of the connection between culture and community. It is iconic and a sign of respect."
Tukaki said the council is asking Māori to gather outside their local mosque as a show of solidarity for the Muslim community on Friday, and then to begin the haka as the call to prayer is issued at 12:30pm.
"Wherever you are across the nation and around the world you can also take part. Gather your whānau, your kapa haka groups, your wardens."
Tukaki said members of Ngāi Tahu will be leading the haka outside the mosques on Deans Ave and Linwood Ave.
Newshub.
