Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Iwi parks haka trademark bid

Updated at 7:15 am on 26 July 2012

Descendants of the tribal chief who composed the haka, Ka Mate, have decided to freeze their fight to protect parts of the traditional war dance, or challenge.

Ngati Toa has not appealed against an Intellectual Property Office ruling, which declined to trademark the phrases Ka Mate, Upane Kaupane, Whiti te Ra and Ka Ora.

The Lower North Island iwi says it considered appealing, but it's already paid about $100,000 in legal fees and it would have to pay another significant sum to take further action.

It wanted to trademark parts of the haka to prevent other people using it inappropriately, and from making money from the war dance - which was composed by Te Rauparaha nearly two centuries ago.

But Ngati Toa Runanga chairperson Taku Parai says they're not giving up on protecting their taonga.

He says they're parking the trademark bid for now.

Mr Parai says the phrases Ka Mate, Upane Kaupane, Whiti te Ra and Ka Ora are dear to Ngati Toa because they're the essence of the haka.

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