The traditional Māori dance involving rhythmic movements and chanting is the haka.
Haka is a Māori performance art built around vigorous movement, foot stamping, facial expressions, and shouted or chanted words. Although often portrayed as a war dance, haka have many purposes, including welcoming guests, celebrating achievements, mourning, honoring people, and expressing collective identity. Both men and women perform different forms of haka.
The internationally famous “Ka Mate” was composed around 1820 by Te Rauparaha, a Ngāti Toa leader. It celebrates his escape from enemies and is now strongly associated with New Zealand’s All Blacks rugby team, which adopted a haka tradition in 1905.
Haka is not the same as hula, the Hawaiian dance. Waiata means song or chant in Māori, while poi is a separate performance involving balls attached to cords. A complete Māori performing-arts presentation may include all of these traditions, but the rhythmic challenge or ceremonial dance itself is the haka.