BOSNIA: DEPARTING NEW ZEALAND TROOPS PERFORM HAKA WAR DANCE

(22 Dec 1995) English/Nat

New Zealand troops have given themselves a rousing send-off as they prepare to leave Bosnia for home.

Departing soldiers performed a traditional Maori war dance, known as the Haka.

The troops have been serving as part of the U-N peacekeeping force near Vitez.

Their early departure means they will be home early in the new year.

As these U-N troops from New Zealand prepare to leave for home, they have one thing left to do before they go...perform the traditional Maori war dance, known as the Haka, for British troops.

The New Zealanders have been based here at Santici camp, near Vitez in central Bosnia.

But now they are going home early and will be back in New Zealand early in the new year.

British troops from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers looked on with guarded interest as the bare-chested warriors did their stuff.

SOUNDBITE:

(Q: The Haka looked a little bit scary being on the receiving end of it?) It is, I tell you. I'm glad they're on my side.

SUPER CAPTION: Lt Col Trevor Minter, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers


SOUNDBITE:

It doesn't make a difference to us. It doesn't matter who we do it to. We could do it to the Queen, you know. We'd do it with the same voracity and ferocity that we'd do it for any other soldier.

SUPER CAPTION: New Zealand serviceman

SOUNDBITE:

We're very glad to be going home earlier than we had thought because we're a long way from New Zealand and we have families who we have missed greatly. The other side of it is disappointment at a personal and professional level because we felt that not only had we contributed a lot, but there was more that we could have done.

SUPER CAPTION: Major Andrew Martin, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment

All that was left to do was pose for some last-minute group pictures.

#Haka #WarDance #Troops
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