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Students' powerful haka for beloved teacher

Raw emotion and power emanated across an entire school as it erupted into a haka to honour one of their beloved teachers.

Hundreds of young students at Palmerston North Boys' High School, from the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island, broke into the traditional Maori war dance as the hearse carrying PE and maths teacher Dawson Tamatea entered the grounds.


The 55-year-old died in his sleep on Monday and was honoured for the "impact he had on people" with a funeral service that closed the school for half the day.

"A good teacher is someone who is passionate - not someone who presents the best lesson," fellow teacher Damon Durie said of Tamatea.

"He teaches them respect but he does it with a bit of humour."

Raw emotion and power emanated across Palmerston North Boys' High School as it erupted into a haka to honour one of their beloved teachers. Photo: YouTube
Raw emotion and power emanated across Palmerston North Boys' High School as it erupted into a haka to honour one of their beloved teachers. Photo: YouTube

It's yet another reminder of the reverence, esteem and true awe that is born from the world-renowned war cry that has become a symbol of New Zealand's historic recognition.

Just earlier this year, incredible footage emerged of a fierce All Blacks Haka and Samoa Siva Tau!

Students from St Patrick's College, Jerry Collins' alma mater, performed an emotional haka during the family funeral for the former All Blacks star.

Rugby players Carl Hayman, Ali Williams, Chris Masoe and Byron Kelleher performed a touching tribute at the site where All Black great Jerry Collins was killed in a car crash.

The Junior Kangaroos and Junior Kiwis almost came to blows during an epic pre-match haka in Auckland on October 19, 2014.

Team USA, full of NBA stars, looked shocked after facing off against a New Zealand team who performed the haka pre-match.

In 2013, footage showing five Kiwi kids performing an impassioned Haka went viral around the world.

In 2012, the 2/1 RNZIR Battalion performed their stirring unit haka to acknowledge the lives and feats of their fallen comrades.

RAW: Staff at Kapati college face off against Year 9 students as they perform a Haka.