June 26, 2020
Best Foods organises 100-strong ‘COVID-19’ Haka for the Vodafone Warriors.
A group of 100 Vodafone Warriors fans has converged on Mount Smart Stadium to send a tribute to the Vodafone Warriors, stuck in Australia due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
The virus forced the suspension of the NRL 2020 season in March before it resumed on May 28 with all games to be played in Australia for the foreseeable future.
Biosecurity restrictions have resulted in teams playing in stadiums without spectators and, in some cases, not playing at their home grounds, most notably the Vodafone Warriors who have returned to action away from Mount Smart and their army of supporters.
To highlight that their fans are there in spirit, if not in person, major sponsor Best Foods has arranged a 100-strong haka at Mount Smart Stadium to wish the Vodafone Warriors luck ahead of their battle with the Melbourne Storm on June 26.
Best Foods worked with Tāpeta Wehi, CEO of Tāmaki Makaurau kapa haka group The Haka Experience, who created a bespoke performance that charts the trials and tribulations of the COVID-19 pandemic. It conveys how New Zealanders united to overcome the pandemic as well as paying respect to the Vodafone Warriors for the sacrifice they have made by playing in Australia.
As an important part of Māori culture steeped in honour and tradition, it was essential that the haka was executed with respect and mana. It was led by The Haka Experience kapa haka group, and supported by local performers and Iwi, resulting in a meaningful and impactful display of support from more than 2600km away from the venue for the match against the Storm.
Tāpeta Wehi commented: “It has been an honour performing for the Vodafone Warriors. This unique haka tells a powerful story of national unity following the Covid-19 pandemic and demonstrates our support for the team all the way from Aotearoa.”
Matt Rigby from Best Foods added: “We want to promote national support for our team playing in Australia. Our goal is to stand with the Vodafone Warriors and let them know the team of five-million back home are behind them 150% – if we can’t be there in person, we will be there in spirit.”
Vodafone Warriors GM Commercial Glenn Critchley says this performance will mean the world to the team.
“With the boys have left their friends and whanau behind for the season and not having the physical support of fans on their home turf in New Zealand, seeing an incredible performance like this will lift everyone’s spirits.
“Although we aren’t playing in front of fans at Mount Smart Stadium, the players know New Zealand is backing them. It will be a tough game against the Melbourne Storm this week, and the boys truly appreciated this gesture from Best Foods.”
Tāpeta Wehi added: “Haka is a sacred treasure that has been passed down to us by our ancestors. We use haka to tell and share our stories, to share tribal knowledge, tribal stories, recite genealogy and pass oral history onto the younger generations. Haka is used to address issues or challenge issues, whether they be political, environmental or even social issues.”
The haka performed by the 100 participants reads as follows:
Maranga mai e te iwi e
Tukitukia, werowerohia te mate urutā
Rere ana te mataku, rere ana te wehiwehi
Ka mate ka mate, ka ora ka ora
Tu mai nga tama toa,
Kia kaha, kia toa, kia manawanui e
Ahakoa he tawhiti te whanau,
Kore kore rawa e tu mokemoke
He matenga poto, he oranga roa
Tu mai nga tama toa, Kia kaha, kia toa
Kia kotahi tatou
Ka mate, ka mate ka ora, ka ora
Aotearoa it’s time to rise up!
We are being tested by this pandemic
The unknown causing apprehension and fear
Will we perish? No, we will live
Rise up the warriors
Be strong, be determined and be brave
Although you are far from your families
You have never been alone
A short sacrifice for long term benefit
Rise up warriors, be strong, be brave
We are in this together
Will we perish? No, we will live, we will live.
Despite moving to level one under New Zealand’s Covid-19 alert system, the haka was produced under strict health and safety regulations. All participants were required to sign a health disclaimer, sign in for contact tracing, regularly wash hands and practise social distancing.
Best Foods has undertaken numerous activities to show its support for the Vodafone Warriors during Covid-19. It implemented ‘Come Digitally Dine with Me’, a socially-led competition giving Vodafone Warriors fans the opportunity to have lunch with their favourite players via Zoom as well as the Vodafone Warriors x Comedy Festival mash-up, a digital content comedy series featuring Vodafone Warriors players as talent.
To view the haka performance, please see here.
#BestFoodsNZ
END
For more information and content
Contact Lauren Atkins, lauren@peadpr.co.nz, 021 157 4998
About Best Foods
Best Foods Mayonnaise has been around since 1913 after being established in New York City. With a blend of perfection and a flair for innovation, founders Richard and Margaret Hellmann did everything they could to create the perfect mayonnaise. The mayonnaise recipe they created in their New York deli, more than 100 years ago, has been a fan favourite ever since. Unilever acquired the Best Foods brand in 2000 and has continued to distribute the brand worldwide to loyal Best Foods fans, including here in New Zealand where it is the number one mayonnaise brand. Best Foods believes that good food doesn’t have to cost the earth, creating mayonnaise from simple ingredients to deliver the best possible taste. Best Foods mayonnaise is made with 100 per cent cage free-eggs and real ingredients sourced from trusted American farms.
http://www.bestfoods.co.nz/
Copyright © 2020, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com