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    Staff applauded for Te Matatini performances

    A sellout crowd of 15,000 witnessed the pinnacle of Māori performing arts at Te Matatini o Kāhui Maunga, on Saturday 1 March when 12 finalist rōpū teams competed for the top prize.

    Taking third place on the finalist podium was council staff member Eli Smith, our Kaiwhakangungu Reo – Te Reo Trainer, who performed as part of Ngā Tūmanako. Coming third is a huge achievement in what has been the largest Te Matatini so far, with a record 55 teams competing.

    Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue won the title of Toa Whakaihuwaka - the champions of Te Matatini. The rōpū from Te Arawa region were first time champions. Ngāti Rangiwēwehi, also from Te Arawa, took out second place.

    Also taking to the stage at Bowl of Brooklands in Ngāmotu New Plymouth during the five-day festival was Dena-Maree, a Kaiārahi Kaupapa Māori at the council. Dena-Maree performed as part of Muriwhenua, which qualified for the competition as Northland’s regional champions. Muriwhenua did Far Northerners proud placing third in the categories of both Poi and Whakawātea. The rōpū also achieved a placing for Titonga Hou Haka (New Haka Composition).

    The biennial festival of elite kapa haka is estimated to have attracted an audience of 70,000 to the Bowl of Brooklands, with more than 21 million viewers reported to have tuned into the live coverage on TVNZ 2, Whakaata Māori, and other streaming platforms. Spectators had the chance to vote for their favourite kapa for the first time this year. The inaugural winners of the Kohine Ponika People's Choice Award were Te Kuru Marutea from Te Tauihu.

    To make the finals, teams competed over four days with the top three groups chosen from each day to go through to the finals on Saturday. Regional competitions held throughout the motu set the benchmark for teams to qualify for the national competition. Other groups representing Te Tai Tokerau were Hātea, Te Uri o Manumanu and Te Puu Ao.

    Main photo - Ngā Tūmanako performing at Te Matatini o Kāhui Maunga. Photo credit - Te Matatini Enterprises.