The famous haka; Ka Mate Ka Mate, was composed by Ngati Toa Chieftain Te Rauparaha around 1820 ... There are many interpretations of these words and “tangata puhuruhuru” may be a reference to the ...

This haka was created in 1820 by Te Rauparaha, a warrior chief of the Ngati Toa tribe, as a way to celebrate his escape from a rival tribe that was pursuing him. The "Ka Mate" haka became globally ...