Te Matatini National Festival

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Competition Format

Competition Rules

Toi Haka and Taonga

Past Venues and Festival Winners

 

The Te Matatini National Festival is held every two years where elite kapa haka performers come together to compete for the honour of winning the national finals. 

The Festival is regarded as the ‘premier Māori cultural performing arts festival’.  It is the world’s largest celebration of Māori performing arts, showcasing Māori culture and talent and attracting upwards of 30,000 participants and visitors.  Hundreds of teams throughout New Zealand and Australia compete in regional competitions for the honour of selection to represent their clubs at the national finals.

The Festival is not simply for Māori – it is open to all people, regardless of culture, background, or age to come together, to share and celebrate. 

While the main focus of the Festival is the kapa haka competition, it is also a celebration of Māori culture and cuisine.  Festivals will generally featuring a range of retail stalls, food stalls, art and craft exhibitions, education workshops, and other entertainment activities.