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Quizzes > Society & Culture

Kapa Haka Pukana Quiz: Know the pukana face

Quick, free haka performance quiz with instant results and bite-size facts

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Connor DensingUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art kapa haka performers wearing traditional costumes on dark blue background quiz invitation

This quiz helps you practice Kapa Haka basics and the pukana face, so you can recognize its purpose on stage. Work through quick questions and pick up a few facts along the way. Want more local trivia? Try our new zealand quiz or dive into culture and sport with New Zealand quiz questions.

What does "pukana" refer to in Kapa Haka performances?
A warrior's weaponry display
A rhythmic foot movement
A chant in unison
A wide-eyed facial expression
Pukana is the dramatic widening of the eyes and contortion of the face to convey intensity and emotion in a Kapa Haka performance. This facial expression is central to the art form and is used to engage the audience and challenge opponents. The term is often discussed within broader studies of haka and M?ori performing arts. .
Which facial feature is most prominently used in executing a pukana?
Cheeks
Nose
Lips
Eyes
The eyes are the key focus in a pukana, often being opened wide and rolled to express intensity and passion. Performers practice extensive eye control to ensure the expression is strong and sustained. This technique heightens the emotional impact of the performance. .
Kapa Haka is a performance art form of which people?
Samoans
M?ori
Hawaiians
Aboriginal Australians
Kapa Haka is the group performance of singing, dancing, and chanting originating from the indigenous M?ori people of New Zealand. It incorporates haka, waiata, poi, and other traditional elements. The word 'kapa' means group and 'haka' refers to the dance or chant. .
Which haka is traditionally performed by the New Zealand All Blacks before rugby matches?
Kapo O Pango
Haka Taparahi
Tika Tonu
Ka Mate
The All Blacks have famously performed the Ka Mate haka since 1905. Composed by Te Rauparaha of Ng?ti Toa, it has become a global symbol of New Zealand rugby. While the team has occasionally performed Kapo O Pango, Ka Mate remains the most recognized. .
What is a korowai in the context of Kapa Haka?
A chant used during haka
A wooden percussion instrument
A traditional M?ori cloak
A type of woven headband
A korowai is a finely woven M?ori cloak traditionally worn during ceremonial occasions, including Kapa Haka performances. It is often adorned with t?niko (geometric patterns) and feathers. The korowai signifies prestige and respect in M?ori culture. .
The Peruperu haka is distinct for the use of what alongside vocal elements?
Poi balls
Weapons such as clubs and spears
Feathered headdresses
Foot-stomping sequences
Peruperu is a war haka performed with weapons such as clubs, mere (stone daggers), and taiaha (spears). The display of weapons adds to the ferocity and warrior spirit of the performance. It was traditionally performed before battle to intimidate opponents. .
In te reo M?ori, what does "kapa" translate to in the term Kapa Haka?
Group
Leader
Song
Dance
The word 'kapa' means 'group' or 'team' in M?ori. Combined with 'haka' (dance/chant), Kapa Haka literally means a group performance of song, dance, and chant. This highlights the collective nature of the art form. .
What is the term for the feast held after a Kapa Haka competition or performance?
Hangi
Karakia
H?kari
Whakatau
A h?kari is a celebratory feast often held after important ceremonies, including Kapa Haka competitions. It involves shared food and socializing, marking the conclusion of formal events. While a hangi is a cooking method, a h?kari refers specifically to the feast. .
The Taranaki haka style is known for originating from which part of New Zealand?
Wellington region
Northland region
Taranaki region
Waikato region
The Taranaki style of haka originates from the west coast of New Zealand's North Island, in the Taranaki region. It is noted for its fast-paced, aggressive movements and dynamic footwork. Each regional style reflects local tribal traditions and histories. .
What is the primary role of the kaihautu in a Kapa Haka performance?
To play traditional instruments
To prepare the ceremonial food
To lead and guide the group in posture and timing
To design costumes and adornments
The kaihautu acts as the lead performer, guiding the group's posture, movements, and timing throughout the performance. They set the pace for waiata and haka, ensuring unity and precision. This leadership role is crucial for a cohesive and impactful presentation. .
A waiata-?-ringa is a type of Kapa Haka song characterized by what unique feature?
Choreographed hand and arm movements
Solo vocal improvisation
Use of traditional weapons
Rapid rhythmic foot stomping
Waiata-?-ringa literally means 'song of the hands' and features coordinated hand and arm movements that complement the vocals. It is performed in unison to enhance lyrical storytelling visually. This form blends song and dance seamlessly. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Pukana Expressions -

    Learn how kapa haka pukana uses fierce facial gestures to convey emotions and messages, deepening your appreciation of this key Mĝori performance art element.

  2. Identify Traditional Costumes -

    Recognize the components of kapa haka costumes, including cloaks, feathers, and adornments, and understand their cultural significance in kapa haka culture.

  3. Recall Iconic Haka Songs -

    Memorize notable kapa haka songs and their histories, giving you context for the lyrics, rhythms, and cultural importance of each piece.

  4. Analyze Haka Movements -

    Break down signature haka moves to understand their meanings and how they enhance the storytelling within kapa haka performances.

  5. Apply Kapa Haka Trivia Skills -

    Use your newfound knowledge of kapa haka trivia to tackle quiz questions confidently, testing your mastery of haka songs, culture, and pukana elements.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Historical Origins of Pukana -

    The term "pukana" refers to the fierce facial expressions - particularly the wide-open eyes - used in kapa haka performances to convey passion and challenge. According to the University of Waikato, this technique traces back to ancestral Mĝori rituals and was formalized in 19th-century marae ceremonies. A handy mnemonic is "Pupils Unleashed - Kapa Haka At its Newest Art," reinforcing the eye focus in kapa haka pukana.

  2. Iconic Kapa Haka Songs -

    Familiarize yourself with classics like "Ka Mate" (composed by Te Rauparaha in the 1820s) and "Kapa o Pango" (introduced by the All Blacks in 2005) to grasp melodic structures and lyrical rhythms. The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage provides lyrics and translations that help decode traditional verses and modern adaptations. A simple trick is "KMP": Ka Mate, Kapa o Pango, and Pukana beat patterns.

  3. Significance of Kapa Haka Costumes -

    Traditional kapa haka costumes, including woven flax piupiu skirts, korowai cloaks, and feathered headbands, symbolize tribal identity and environmental connections (Te Papa Tongarewa). The colours red, black, and white often represent whakapapa (genealogy) and the link between atua (gods) and whenua (land). Remember "F-F-L": Feathers, Flax, Layers to recall key costume elements for kapa haka costumes trivia.

  4. Pukana Expressions and Their Meanings -

    Pukana expressions vary: rolling tongues (whetero) signals defiance, while protruding eyes (hĝkari) show fierce hospitality toward the opponent. Scholarly articles in the Journal of the Polynesian Society note that each gesture carries distinct cultural nuances, from challenge to welcome. Use the phrase "EYES = Emotions Yielded Expressively & Significantly" to remember pukana's interpretive power in kapa haka culture.

  5. Roles and Structure in Kapa Haka Performances -

    A standard kapa haka group includes leaders (kaihautu), choreographers, vocalists, and percussionists - each role vital to synchronizing song, chant, and movement (New Zealand Speech Board research). The flow typically moves from waiata tira (choral song) into haka and poi routines, blending storytelling with physicality. Think "L-CVP": Leader, Choral, Vocal, Percussion to outline a performance structure for kapa haka trivia quizzes.

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