Thursday nights episode of Home and Away will feature the shows Maori family performing a Haka for the first time in Summer Bay.

Two Maori advisors (Kani Collier and Tainui Stephens) helped write the storyline into the Australian soap, where the Parata family will honour late family member Mikaere Parata with the Haka after being unable to return to New Zealand for the funeral.

Filming this was emotional for actor Rob Kipa-Williams (Ari Parata) who dedicated his performance to his Aunty Leah who recently passed away. Rob wasnt able to attend her funeral in NZ due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

This sudden passing was heartbreaking, a huge shock and sadly I missed her Tangi (funeral), Rob told HuffPost Australia.