Olympics 2021: Watch New Zealand’s haka after their historic win

The Olympics have always pulled people together through shared moments that feel bigger than the scoreboard. New Zealand’s Black Ferns delivered one of those moments at the Tokyo Games when they claimed gold in women’s rugby sevens and followed it with their signature haka. The performance turned a single victory into a lasting image of pride and unity, and the team has kept adding chapters since.

The Haka

The haka is a ceremonial Māori dance performed in a tight group. It blends sharp footwork, rhythmic slapping, and a full-throated chant that carries clear meaning. Tongue protrusions and powerful stances signal strength and collective resolve. The Black Ferns chose the version titled ‘Ko Uhia Mai’, or ‘Let It Be Known’, composed for them by Te Whetū Tipiwai. They performed it after the 2021 gold-medal win and brought it out again after their 2024 triumph, keeping the same message of determination and sisterhood alive across two Olympic cycles.

New Zealand Black Ferns

The Black Ferns defeated France 26-12 in the Tokyo final to secure their first Olympic gold. Captain Sarah Hirini spoke afterward about the joy of the moment and the people who helped the squad reach it. Her words captured the relief and pride that come after years of preparation. The 2021 victory marked the start of consecutive Olympic titles; the team repeated as champions in Paris 2024, defeating Canada 19-12. Hirini remained a central leader through both cycles, moving into a co-captaincy role alongside Risi Pouri-Lane for the Paris Games.

Historic Win

Five years earlier in Rio the Black Ferns had settled for silver after a loss to Australia. That result became fuel rather than a final chapter. The squad turned the disappointment into sustained excellence, collecting back-to-back Olympic golds and multiple World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series titles in the years that followed. The path from Rio silver to Tokyo gold and then Paris gold shows how setbacks can feed longer runs of success when a group stays tight and keeps working.

Back-to-Back Olympic Glory

Repeating at the highest level is rare in any sport. The Black Ferns managed it by beating Canada 19-12 in the Paris 2024 gold-medal match. Veterans Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Tyla King closed their international careers with a second Olympic gold, giving younger teammates a clear example of longevity and consistency. The repeat title extended the story that began in Tokyo and confirmed the program’s place at the top of women’s rugby sevens.

Sarah Hirini’s Enduring Leadership

Hirini captained the side to silver in Rio and then led them to gold in Tokyo. In Paris she shared the captaincy with Risi Pouri-Lane while playing through a facial injury sustained in the final. Her ability to stay on the field and help steer the result spoke to the same steady presence fans saw in her 2021 comments. The arc from sole captain to co-captain across two Olympic wins illustrates how leadership can evolve while still anchoring a team through pressure.

Evolution of the Black Ferns Haka

‘Ko Uhia Mai’ was written specifically for the Black Ferns to highlight women’s strength and unity. The chant and movements stayed consistent from Tokyo to Paris, giving the performance a recognizable signature that travels with the squad. Each time the players line up after a major win, the haka serves as both celebration and statement. Its continued use across Olympic cycles shows how a cultural form can adapt to new rosters while keeping its core message intact.

Broader Impact on Women’s Rugby

The Black Ferns’ run of titles has raised the profile of women’s rugby sevens around the world. Their back-to-back Olympic golds and continued dominance in the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series have drawn new audiences and helped grow investment in the women’s game. National programs in several countries now treat sevens as a priority pathway, and the visibility of New Zealand’s success has played a part in that shift. The 2021 performance remains the spark, but the ongoing results keep the momentum going.

The Black Ferns turned one Olympic weekend into a longer story of culture, resilience, and repeated excellence. Their haka after the Tokyo final still stands as a vivid reminder of what a team can express when it reaches the top, and the chapters written since show that the same group kept delivering on that promise.