The ka mate haka used by the All Blacks since 1905 is a variation of a dance invented in 1820 by Te Rauparaha, chief of the Ngati-Toa tribe.
For much of the past decade a trust representing the tribe fought - and ultimately lost - a battle to register copyright of the haka's words.
The Kapa o Pango haka, widely criticised for its closing 'throat-slitting' gesture, was especially commissioned by the New Zealand Rugby Football Union.
The question of how to square up to the haka has already been taxing some Welsh fans in the build-up to the match.
One online fan, responding to a message board question on what the Welsh crowd can do to combat the haka, wrote, 'You want to make an impact on the Kiwi players?