Raw stuff
We’ve seen the power and emotion that goes into the haka on the rugby field many times, but the 1,500 boys at a school in New Zealand have channelled those feelings to bid a stirring farewell to a teacher.
Dawson Tamatea, a member of staff at Palmerstown North Boys’ High School for nearly 30 years, died suddenly at the age of 55 last week and pupils at the school greeted the hearse at the school by performing the infamous war cry.
The massed ranks then retreated in silence and bowed their heads as the car was allowed to pass through the school gates.
The video has been viewed more than 300,000 on YouTube, and the school praised its students, saying: “This was a very emotional and powerful performance. We are extremely proud of our boys’ performance and we know that Mr Tamatea would be too.”
