Alright, so picture this – every camp kicking off with a kia ora and a hongi. Sounds pretty cool, right? Well, that’s exactly what Troy Nathan has been up to for the past decade, spreading haka and rugby love to kiddos all over the globe. We’re talking Aotearoa, Ireland, Japan, Mozambique – you name it, he’s been there.
Who’s Troy Nathan, you ask? Just a dude on a mission to bring haka and rugby to young, aspiring tamariki from different backgrounds and cultures. And guess what? These kids, whether they’re Kiwis or not, all dream of becoming future All Blacks. It’s not just about promoting the Māori culture overseas, but also making sure our own peeps back home understand how much our culture is respected worldwide.
Haka Rugby Global is where it’s at, with a bunch of Kiwi coaches teaching rugby and Māori traditions to kids aged 8-16. Each camp starts with a pōwhiri, whaikōrero, waiata, and a hongi, and by the end of it, these kids are performing their very own haka. It’s a life-changing experience that has parents shedding tears of joy. Just imagine your kid coming home from camp, busting out the haka in the living room – that’s the kind of impact we’re talking about here.