Te Matatini has been a beacon of haka excellence since 1972, bringing together the best of kapa haka from across Aotearoa. This year, Te Tairāwhiti will be proudly represented at Te Matatini by five kapa haka rōpū – Waihīrere, Whāngārā Mai Tawhiti, Te Hokowhitu a Tū, Tū Te Manawa Maurea and Hikurangi Pariha. Each rōpū will receive $15,000 in funding from Trust Tairāwhiti to support their wānanga campaigns towards the event in Taranaki from 25 February to 1 March.
These groups secured their place on the national stage at the regional Tamararo competition in 2024, a cornerstone of kapa haka in Tūranganui-a-Kiwa since 1952. The journey to Te Matatini is not just about competition but also a celebration of whakapapa, te reo Māori and the unique performance styles of each rōpū.
Each kapa approaches Te Matatini with its own identity and traditions.
Te Hokowhitu a Tū, the world’s oldest kapa rōpū at 94 years old, will mark a significant return to the national stage after over a decade.
“Matatini wasn’t the initial goal – it was about relighting the fires because Te Hokowhitu a Tū is more than a kapa; it’s everything. Our tikanga and kawa come through our waiata. Our marae thrives when our kapa thrives. This has been a positive step forward for our two hapū – Te Whānau a Ruataupare me Te Whānau a Te Aotawarirangi,” says Kevin Pewhairangi of Te Hokowhitu a Tū.
“Qualifying was about seeing if we still had the goods, and now stepping onto that stage again will be a proud moment for our hapū and whānau, both at home and those joining us in Taranaki. Even though there will only be 40 of us on stage in Taranaki, we have an army back home that we want to kawe (carry) with us.”
Preparations have included nine wānanga at the marae so far, with the group planning to arrive in Taranaki early for more time to wānanga together.
“A lot goes on behind the scenes – preparing, supporting our cooks, ensuring manaakitanga is upheld. That’s before even getting to performance preparations. During wānanga, Saturdays are about 13 to 14 hours on the floor – that’s the physical demand.”
Wānanga further strengthens connections across generations.
“Our rangatahi come through the kura tuarua (secondary school) competitions at a high level, so we wanted them performing for us with the hope that this group reaches 194 years old one day. Our kaumātua ensure our Hokowhitutanga remains – holding to the tikanga and kawa of our marae and kapa. Each kapa has its own identity – that makes each Tairāwhiti rōpū stand out.”
The Trust’s funding will help ensure each rōpū has the resources needed for their wānanga, supporting travel, accommodation and other operational costs of preparing for Te Matatini.
Starting from 25 February, Te Matatini will be available for streaming on various platforms, including TVNZ 2, Whakaata Māori, and online at TVNZ+ and Māori+.