The entire student body of Palmerston North Boys' High School have performed a "spine-tingling" haka in honour of a long-serving teacher who died earlier this month.
Entire school performs 'spine-tingling' haka for fallen teacher
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The entire Palmerston North Boys High School student body put on a rousing haka in honour of teacher Dawson Tamatea
Dawson Tamatea died in his sleep on July 20. He was a popular head of Te Reo Maori and Dean of Student Achievement, who had taught at the school since 1986.
Video posted on the school's Facebook page shows a black hearse arriving at the school on Friday carrying Mr Tamatea's casket for his funeral.
But the hearse is stopped in its tracks as all 1700 students plus a group of recent old boys perform an emotional haka that lasts for about two minutes.
Palmerston North Boys' High School rector David Bovey told ONE News: "It was absolutely spine-tingling" witnessing the haka.
"This was a very emotional and powerful performance, " the school wrote on its Facebook page.
"We are extremely proud of our boys' performance and we know that Mr Tamatea would be too."
Observers were moved by the haka with Jac Phillips writing on Facebook: "Powerful powerful stuff! I had goosebumps. Brilliant."
