agreed! he gave the haka the commitment and respect it deserves, I give him 9 out of 10 stars

@@DaveWhoa Nice to see an Aussie appreciate it!

@@jivekiwi how can anyone not love a good haka!?

I don't think colbert does half commitment

It was beautiful

Ka pai, ka pai

Yeah, was not expecting such a full send on it.

Something so beautiful about it. Thank you Stephen 🙏🏾✨🌟

Stephen is a world ambassador, for peace and unity!

He knocked it out of the park too!!

kinda did seem like he was making fun of it

Why laugh? this is one huge honor...

I think the fact that Stephen looks like one of the most suburban White dudes on earth (combined with his public persona as a comedian) makes his genuine attempts at Haka facial expressions come off a bit comedic, if only because of how out-of-place he looks. Otherwise, I think he really did try to take this seriously.

Ai, it was a pretty decent pukana. As a Maori, I didn't see any disrespect, quite the opposite. You can't help the way you look, but you can always choose the effort you put in. He gave it a good shot

@@janetownley I agree ... It's the first time I haven't see Stephen act the clown. Mana to him! ✌️💜

Smart

He's already an honorary citizen... Think you got it.

Hahah. Of course, important to make sure the incoming administration has a strong alliance with sensible people, dwarves, hobbits and elves :)

Steven looks really bad.as.s

Well played

Tu meke stepnen

@@stephenmurray5871 hard out! Chur to the Stephen Colbert for that. I thought he was well awesome. His pukana was fierce as too. Without all the "kiwi-isms" though, what a respectful gentleman paying tribute to a country he obviously holds near and dear, and to a people who hold him near and dear too. I can't think of too many of us from Aotearoa who wouldn't welcome him and consider him amongst our own.

Nailed it too.

@@stefanzzz6778 hard out he did.

Like all decent-minded people, he knows when to have fun and when to let it aside. I mean, there is still something inherently funny about seeing Colbert, a weedy, white, very unathletic American man, doing a haka, a ritual associated with warriors and some of the fittest, strongest men on Earth. But that's all the joke he needs to make; the rest can be done with full respect to the culture.

like many Americans, he's aware how ignorant we look to other countries

@@KB-313 What do you mean "look"?

@@tropicalqueen6520 To much uso ... My bro lives in Qatar ...

there were official dubs of songs from moana in maori, tahitian, and i think hawaiian which are lovely

Ka pai

Much love to our massive family all over the world

I hear you uso ! Stephen is now part of the Tribe hahah Shot Uce ! haha

"Fam to us"?

@@maazkalim tatau Tatau ✌️💜

@@maazkalim Good guess. Whanau is extended family.

Just imagine, a U.S. baseball game starting with both teams doing their local native pre-battle chant and/or dance, if any, just after the National Anthem. Of course the first word that dooms the whole idea is "local".

@@JoshSweetvale New Zealand is the first world. Plus localism and respecting indigenous people are not the same. Besides it happens all over the world. Look at population displacement in Africa. All humans need to to do better.

@@patsysadowski1546 Most of the eastern U.S. doesn't have native tribes anymore. They were slaughtered and their remnants pushed west. The western half of the U.S. is a hodgepodge of displaced tribes. And when I say 'tribe' I mean whole micronations of people. That alone rumbles the cultural history enough that you can't really _have_ local traditions anymore.

As someone who is Hawaiian, I couldn’t agree with you more. I wish that the cultures and heritage of those this country has usurped, will one day be appreciated rather than doomed to some token tourist attraction.

this is absolutely true. not only do we not respect or appreciate indigenous peoples, our sports teams still have horrendously racist names and mascots. it's atrocious.

Sharing of breath? That doesn't sound healthy at all!

@@beckobert it's ok in NZ

It's so beautiful. Wish we had customs like that around the world. (Yes, not right now.)

@@beckobert So many things - even kisses on the cheek have me cringing on the inside these days lol

I never saw anything like that, but I just though wow this is beautiful, it felt like a sign of showing respect and recognizing one another, not just like shaking hands saying hi...

Me too

Stephen models best practices for a peaceful planet. When we love our brothers as we do ourselves, we advance towards heaven on earth.

why is he understanding and beautiful person ? because he had cameras rolling and had the whole thing shown on tv for people to laugh their lungs out at it ? you're such a ignorant person !

Me too

@@MehrdadParthian omg lighten up what is wrong with you

They dont get respect ? What are u talking about?

@@holdencommodorehsv Read a little of the history of the Maori and the settlers from the west. The Maori were defeated and treated terribly by the English when they first arrived up until shortly after WW1, then a rediscovery of their beautiful lifestyle and culture led to the truly blended culture that New Zealand has today. It is one of the great stories of 2 cultures coming together in history. Something we Americans can learn from in knowing our own native peoples.

I agree with this. Stephen took the time to learn his haka and didn't just treat it like a funny novelty.

I'm certainly not an expert, but I loved how intensely he did it. He didn't use it as an opportunity for laughs, he went for his best effort. Loved it.

@@charlie-obrien sounds like a fantasy lol come to nz u will see reality

He’s a treasure isn’t he . He represents beautifully

Have mercy !!! This brought very real tears to my eyes !! “...Breathe 🔥 fire...Let the American Party (boldly & confidently & reverently represented by Mr. Ambassador Colbert ) resound !!!” Have mercy !!!

@@c.r.harris It brought tears to my eyes as well. And I'm neither an American nor a New Zealander... Take care!

@@Yesitsmereally same here. it was really moving

@@annettepayne822 absolutely

Stephen is an ambassador, for world peace and unity!

Agreed!!

I think he is an honorary New Zealand citizen, ryt? Jascinda Ardern made him a citizen last time he visited

True ...🤙🏽

It takes a bit more than that but he did an honorable job.

Sebastian Taibo very well said Sebastian !!!

We have a national wheelchair rugby team called the 'Wheel Blacks' who also do a haka before games.

No that does not sound patronizing at all. LOL

@@Hellknight27 and worth a look at the games if anyone thinks regular rugby is brutal! lol He is from the Wheel Blacks not an injured ex-All Blacks is he? (actually I can't tell for sure if that's a male or female & wheelchair rugby is unisex, so it could be either)

@@mehere8038 I think it was just a kid they drafted in for that. The fatter ex-All Black on the left is Piri Weepu and the bald one dragging Stephen is DJ Forbes, who was captain of the national Rugby Sevens team during his playing days.

💯❣️💯❣️💯❣️💯❣️💯 🔥Wheels of Fire Breath🔥 ❣️💯❣️💯❣️💯❣️💯❣️

@Research Scientist So were a lot of cultures, what’s that got to do with anything?!?!

@Research Scientist or he's just a decent person who respects people's cultures.

Why would he make fun of them? His an inteligent man, only dumb and self absorb people would make fun...

@@ShankaraOm it possible that some people only Stephen from the daily show and the Colbert Report, the "persona". Not the Stephen from a Late Show.

Nothing to make fun of. They are great, and share the fun with anyone willing. As it should be.

Since Mabo, 40% of the Australian continent is now in Aboriginal hands. I think a lot of things ARE being sorted out, mate.

Yes, but you started WELL with the national anthem..

True we still have mich to learn here in Australia 🇦🇺

I agree. The segregated "animal bars" have to go.

Well.. The only politico-social kith-&-kin of the US across the Anglosphere is Australia, so..

Exactly. To most Americans, they think (if they know of us) that we are either a part of Australia, or they don't even know where we are, geographically. Heck, we're not even on some maps.

@@darrenbent7601 🥺 i promise we’re not all like that, in regards to the “it’s all about me” thing.

@@tashazors Thank goodness. But seriously, thanks for that. I know that I've made the mistake of mixing up Americans and Canadians, because the accents are very close to each other to my ear. no place on the world has perfect people, but at least after the Pandemic has been dealt with, I hope that we can all learn to grow together as a global brotherhood and sisterhood that I know we could be.

For clarification, it's also: "It's all about my country" "@@tashazors"

He got transformed. Seemed like he was making faces if it were a comedy bit, but you could just feel that he was ready to battle. Dang.

He went from intrigued to nervous to fired up!

Shure did show a real respect for New Zealand. No half beats there

Adrenaline-pumping exercise, indeed!

Hipster choice: I prefer the Sivi Tau kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ardzZNBiqKrNmZ8.html

Mine too!!!

I played rugby at college and as fans of the All Blacks, we copied their uniforms and even did our own humble version of the Haka. I believe it is the greatest team introduction in the history of sport and it is spiritual.

he apparently went to go meet the All Blacks because the Springboks were unavailable..

@@charlie-obrien Which college? My husband played rugby for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

They're pretty deep. They can be very intimidating on a rugby pitch but also very moving. We do them in celebration, birthdays, retirement , say at weddings or when loved ones return home (or leave for that matter) pretty much any significant achievement. We do them to show respect to visitors and we do them in support of people and families. They can sometimes be done by hundreds of people and sometimes just one person. They are especially moving when done at tangi/funerals. If you know what they are, it's very hard to not be moved by them. In my opinion anyway. The haka can be mocked by people overseas who dont understand our culture, that can really get under our skin. I must admit I was cringing a little when Mr Colbert said he was going to do one but I very much appreciate and applaud his efforts in showing the haka (and by extention us and our culture), respect. 👏👏👏

@@WhangaFish always found the haka very moving and inspiring. More like I dunno, breathing fire into me instead of at me? Lol but I've also seen ones that brought me to tears, at a wedding... and a funeral. All on video but I really hope I get to visit New Zealand one day and see one in person. There's nothing like the haka.

@@WhangaFish I loved the way the cultural advisor Luke Crawford explained everything. The culture around the Maori & the Haka is gracious, beautiful & spiritual. It honors the earth, us as it’s guests & our ancestors. I’m very moved by this.

That " connecting to the land..." is something westerners, and Americans in particular, could really stand to learn, along with sincerity and honor, both dead or MIA after this last years' massacre.

There's about 20 Maori tribes here in Aotearoa. Each one of them have their own versions of a Haka. The most famous one [Kamate] has been "adopted" by all tribes. But there isn't just one Haka per tribe. There are many. For centuries Maori was an Aural Language only. There are different dialects from tribe to tribe. They used Haka, traditional games and stories to pass on their tales of their ancestry, the animals and lands they occupy, their tales of the gods and demi-gods, and day to day events. They also used them to communicate with other tribes if they could not verbally communicate with each other, to see what their intentions were for each other, whether they are friend or foe, warfare or trade...etc Each movement has a real meaning, from the shimmering of the leaves of the fern, to the wings of a bird, the flow of the wind and water...etc, there is so much meaning for every single micro-movement. It is a truly amazing way of conveying the stories and legends.

Same! I burst into tears.

Haka always makes me cry - every time

Very moving

I cried too but Hama does that to me.

@@kayluv5926 i don’t know why! I wish I had a team to do it with! Especially lately, I just would love to be a part of a crew sharing a goal and having some fun.

Right back at ya, miss my mates in Ozzy. My kid is has been deployed as a member of the NZ, Australian Units. Modern day Anzac’s. Much respect for your haka Kia Kaha Arohanui from New Zealand 🇳🇿

As an immigrant to NZL I love how much respect the native culture gets, and how it's influences are seen throughout the country in so many ways, in a positive manner. Keeping it alive!

@@nem447 I love how much recognition and respect Maori culture is globally. ❤️

Back at U bro 😎

same here too from Australia & really proud of the way both our countries have been able to work together through covid, not only for ourselves, but also protecting all our poorer South Pacific neighbours. Our little corner of the world really has been a wonderful place to spend the covid pandemic & I really hope it's just the start, that once this is over, we can maintain the relationship & co-operation & have the world notice & consider copying. I mean we've ALWAYS been there for each other & always will be, but I really feel like we did it SO strongly for the world to see during all of this, really bringing that ANZAC spirit that has always been there in the military into the civilian domain, really showing the world what co-operation at a country level looks like, without any sovereignty incursions, total respect for each other's culture, yet total commitment to unity too. We brought each other's citizens home whenever needed, we co-ordinated the travel bans & lockdowns, even with one right wing & one left wing government & totally different intentions as to the level of virus control. Our ventilators during the early shortages were set to be shared, our contact tracing systems are easily crossing the ditch, with infections/possible exposures to people who've crossed being relayed across as efficiently as they are within local settings, virus genome info from Australia was made available when NZ got a new outbreak so as to check if the outbreak could have come from Australia, never any blame on anything, always just doing best for the countries & people. The world would be a richer place if it copied the relationship they've been able to see from us! (or tried, I don't think it would be possible for most to actually achieve it)

And yet we still have so much work to do. Keep working everyone! We will get there.

I’m still waiting on the honors Nz gives us 😂 jk

We have a lot of work to do. A LOT

We need to treat ourselves like kiwis because that’s what we all are

@@tainuijohnston6734 you are missing the point...ever wonder why most people associate maori with New Zealand? Its not about medals and silvers!!

freaking loved it !!!

Dude gained a lot of weight since retirement...

That was awesome Bro

Weepu put on some KGs lol he’s still one of my favorites

@@AE-ix2iz i know right😂

@@AE-ix2iz Love his Tiki Tour show on KZfaq. He has a great personality.

@@AE-ix2iz Did you see Weepu on Match Fit? It's worth watching - have a look on TVNZ On Demand.

RIGHT?! Me too!

It's the haka, dudes, it's powerful.

Always! I think the authenticity is overwhelming to see. It’s so rare.

I'm a Kiwi and the haka does that to me every time..

So happy im not the only one... Surprised and happy lol 😆

Oh yeah. You know it.

Maybe he can make his own New Steveland. :D

No, Stephen is all New York I don't see him leaving it, but New Zealand is definitely going to be a second home.

@@osvie0167 99

I'm sure his dream is to live in the Bag End

Same. Me too.

@@fancyandfreeoutdoors me too :)

Not trevor noah

Don't even want that mental image. Stephen knows when to make it funny.

Conan O’Brien would definitely be respectful but he’d most definitely make himself the butt of the joke without at all being inappropriate

Not with Conan. You really have to see at least when Conan went to Ghana and Armenia.

I don't think you need to make a statement like this, as you're just creating phantom enemies with no evidence. No late-night show host other than Colbert has done a haka (or even much talked about New Zealand), so you can't predict how they'd do it. Even if they did, chances are they would be well-briefed to not joke around too much or in a way that causes disrespect.

Matthias Stephenopolis same! the emotion it stirs in me is moving. watching a haka is so powerful i can't help but tear up a little bit. so much respect for the culture.

I noticed the pronunciation too..Excellent..

Crazy fact: there are about the same number of rugby players in the US as there are players in NZ. The States could be a rugby powerhouse given the right resources.

NOT 'to die for'----To LIVE for....so you can enjoy it AGAIN!

I'm crying too lol

Love that....down under....😊😊😊😊