NEW Zealand’s world-famous war dance, the haka, has been officially given to a Maori tribe to help protect it from commercial rip-offs.The New Zealand Government has designated intellectual property rights of the All Blacks’ war cry, Ka Mate, to a North Island tribal group as part of a compensation deal.The deal recognises the haka was composed by the tribe’s legendary Maori chief, Te Rauparaha, to celebrate the fiery warrior’s escape from death in a battle in the 1820s.

The tribe, Ngati Toa, is not expected to be able to claim royalties from the agreement, but it will be able to address long-term grievances over its inappropriate commercial use.”Ngati Toa’s primary objective is to prevent the misappropriation and culturally inappropriate use of the Ka Mate haka,” the official settlement letter stated.

In 2006, car maker Fiat angered the tribe when it released a television ad of Italian women giving a slap-dash rendition of the haka, traditionally only performed by men.There was also controversy when New Zealand’s 2007 bakery of the year awards featured a mock performance by gingerbread men. There were concerns the tribe could charge the All Blacks up to $1.2 million to perform the haka if it was trademarked.The new agreement is largely symbolic, but it is considered very significant by Maori leaders.