A judge confirmed that 6,531 participants performed the “Ka Mate” haka, made famous by the All Blacks rugby team, which performs it just before test matches. France has held the world record since September 2014, when 4,028 people slapped their thighs and sang after a rugby match in rural La Gaillarde, southwest France.
Organizers in Auckland had hoped for up to 10,000 participants, but were still pleased that the record had been set by New Zealand, where the haka is considered a national treasure. “We want to bring the mana (pride) of the Hakka back home,” said Michael Mizrahi, leader of the Auckland bid.
Michael Mizrahi said previous attempts involving crowds of more than 5,000 people on New Zealand soil had failed because Guinness World Records officials had not approved them.
