A four-year-old Dunedin girl received her dream birthday present on Saturday after a post by her father on a local Facebook page went viral.
On Thursday, Bengi James, of Dunedin, posted a photo of his daughter, Maia, to the Otago Flatting Goods Facebook page with the message: "Hi all, I asked my wee girl (4) what she wants for her birthday, she said she wants the haka! Anyone keen to help?''
The post quickly gained almost 900 likes and close to 100 offers to help with the surprise.
On Saturday, about 20 people from He Waka Kotuia, the King's and Queen's High Schools combined kapa haka group, surprised Maia by performing a waiata and a rousing haka at her birthday party at the Andersons Bay McDonald's.
As the loud haka rang out, many other diners in the restaurant stopped what they were doing to watch the performance.
He Waka Kotuia tutor Tyrin Tutaki said after seeing the post the group decided to help as a "thank you'' to the community.
"We can't do all of the travel and things we do for competitions without their help, so it was just a way to give something back.
"And how many little girls are there that want a haka for their fourth birthday?''
Mr James appeared visibly emotional during the performance.
"I am just overwhelmed.
"I was thinking about how often we think about the young population and all of the naughty things they get up to.
"But I posted this on a page mainly used by young people and the response was just so amazing. I am just feeling really emotional about it.''
Maia was a "huge fan'' of all things Maori, particularly the haka, he said.
"She always joins in when she sees it during rugby games and other events.''
The birthday girl had few words to describe the surprise, but agreed it had been "good'' to watch.
Mr James said he did not know how he would trump this surprise for Maia's fifth birthday.
