The Haka chant often consists of tribal story-telling, involving expressions of the face and hands to embody the passionate spirits of the people of New Zealand. This genre of folk dance and legend not only puts on a great show for the witnessing audience, but it embodies the spiritual power of the Maori sun god, Tane-rone.

According to Māori mythology, the sun god Tama-nui-te-ra and the goddess of summer Hine-Raumati had a son called Tane-rone. During summer, Tane-rone put on dances for his mother as a symbol of strength and pride.The quivering air we  are familiar with seeing on hot days is said to be the image created in the shaking of the hands in the Haka dance. This legend is held dearly and still taught in traditional Maori settings and sets the tone for the meaning of the tribal dance.