Maori Tribe Collaborate for Haka in Rugby League 2 for
Xbox(tm) Videogame
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wellington, New Zealand - 12 July 2006 -
Game developer Sidhe Interactive and Ng ® ti Kimihia H ® pu
(sub-tribe) of Ng ® ti Toa Rangatira announced today that
Sidhe's upcoming videogame title "Rugby League 2" for Xbox TM
would feature the traditional M ® ori Haka known as Ka Mate.
The Haka is a warrior challenge, traditionally performed at the
meeting of Maori tribes as a means to both show respect and
intimidate opponents. Ka Mate is a form of Haka, originally
choreographed around 1820 by famous Maori chief Te Rauparaha of
the Ng ® ti Toa Rangatira tribe. Still used ceremonially today,
Ka Mate has also been adopted by New Zealand sports teams and
is performed before international sporting events. "As New
Zealanders, we were passionate about including Ka Mate in the
title to enrich the gaming experience" said Mario Wynands,
Managing Director of Sidhe Interactive, "However, we were also
conscious that we needed to ensure the tradition was presented
with integrity and in a respectful way." Sidhe Interactive
consulted with the Ng ® ti Toa Rangatira at length to ensure
both the accuracy of Ka Mate within the game and obtain tribal
approval. Ignite Studios acted as advisor to the collaboration
and produced the haka component - traditionally trained
specialists were sourced to record the vocals and perform
motion captured actions. In the game, Ka Mate is performed by
computer animated representations of the New Zealand national
rugby league team, the Kiwis, before international matches. Ng
® ti Toa Rangatira elders reviewed and approved the final
result. "This is a unique opportunity for Ng ® ti Toa Rangatira
to exercise 'mana' (authority) over their treasured haka Ka
Mate in the modern multi-media digital world" said Ng ® ti Toa
Rangatira spokesperson Oriwa Solomon. "It is hoped that this
will be a template for future collaborative arrangements
between Ng ® ti Kimihia and other parties wishing to use or
currently using Ka Mate. Sidhe should be applauded for
acknowledging Ng ® ti Kimihia and Ng ® ti Toa as the rightful
owners of Ka Mate and that the ownership of cultural
Intellectual Property resides with their indigenous communities
of origin." Rugby League 2 for Xbox TM will be released in
Australia, New Zealand, and Europe on 13 July 2006 under "Tru
Blu Games", the publishing division of HES. The game is
currently available for the PlayStation ® 2 and PC platforms
which do not include Ka Mate, but were the number one selling
videogames in Australasia at release in December 2005. More
information, media and downloads for Rugby League 2 can be
found at www.rugbyleague2.com. For more information about the
haka Ka Mate please contact www.ngatikimihia.com. **********
Note to media: Permission is given for all media available at
www.rugbyleague2.com to be used in your publication or website.
Higher resolution assets available on request. FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE Contact: Jos Ruffell Business Development Executive
Sidhe Interactive www.sidheinteractive.com PO Box 6203 Marion
Square Wellington New Zealand Ph: +64 4 4712638 jos@sidhe.co.nz
Te Ariki Wi Neera Ng ® ti Kimihia PO Box 29 Paekakariki New
Zealand teariki@ngatitoa.iwi.nz www.ngatikimihia.com David
Robles Business Development Manager / Producer Home
Entertainment Suppliers Pty Ltd Ph: +61 2 9533 3055 Fx: +61 2
9533 3277 www.trublu.com.au league@hes.net NZ Distributor :
Wilf Robinson General Manager Gamewizz Digital Entertainment
Ph: +64 9 4770255 Fx: +64 9 4755000 www.gamewizz.com
info@gamewizz.com European Distributor : Roger Hulley
Alternative Software www.alternativesoftware.com
roger@alternativesoftware.com Cultural Advisor : Kingi Gilbert
Ignite Studios Ltd +64 9 529 2839 ignitest@ignitestudios.org
