Wedding haka moves New Zealand Maori bride to tears

A passionate wedding haka that moved a New Zealand bride to tears is making everyone else cry too.

Video of the Maori dance at the wedding of Aaliya and Benjamin Armstrong is being widely shared on social media, with more than 11 million views so far.

The couple watch with emotion as the groomsmen and guests perform the traditional dance, before they join in.

Ms Armstrong, 21, told the BBC the haka was a sign of respect from her husband's best man and family.

"I wasn't planning on jumping in until one bridesmaid did. I felt the need to show love and respect back," she said.

"I was really blown away."

The nearly three minute video ends with couple emotionally embracing the haka performers.

'Moved me to tears'

The haka was organised by the 23-year-old groom's best man and was led by his older brother.

"Ben is a Maori, he is probably more Maori than I am," Ms Armstrong said.

"Because he has fair skin, some people have been saying on social media that 'he'd better not hurt the bride', but they're actually his family."

The couple, who live in Auckland, posted the video for friends and its popularity has taken them by surprise.

"We didn't think it would shoot off, but yesterday afternoon I left my phone alone for about five minutes and I had so many notifications," Ms Armstrong said.

Comments on social media have focused on the strong emotions that the video arouses.
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"Yes, this moved me to tears," said user Hind Makki in a typical Twitter post.