Groom displays Maori heritage through powerful wedding haka

Jackson Tamaariki showed off his proud Maori heritage in a passionate and moving haka performance during his wedding in New Zealand.

In a video posted to YouTube, the groom performed the powerful dance with his friends on April 2, as his newlywed wife Jennifer watched on.

Haka is a traditional war dance of the Maori people of New Zealand. The dance involves chanting, yelling and rhythmic stomping and body slapping. Haka dances can be performed as signs of welcoming, respect and acknowledgement of achievement.

Wedding haka videos have become more popular recently. Another haka wedding video posted online in January has been viewed millions of times.

Later during the wedding, Jennifer also performed a traditional dance to share her own Kurdish heritage.

"It was important for our families and for us, and allowed our guests an insight into the cultural dynamics of our relationship," she told Stuff.co.nz.