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How has kapa haka figured in your own life?

My involvement started 55 years ago when I first joined Te Ropu Manutaki under the leadership of Ta Dr Pita Sharples. I've been involved in kapa haka ever since (except for four years when I worked for the Ministry of Fisheries). I've had the privilege of performing with Te Rōpū Manutaki and Waka Huia on the Te Matatini stage during their time as national champions. It was an honour to be part of those incredible moments. The main life-rewarding aspects of kapa haka that I am thankful for are, meeting my wife Donna, the relationships and connections I cherish, and learning te reo and tikanga Māori.

What was your vision for the Te Matatini Festival when you came on board in 2016?

I wanted kapa haka to be accessible to everyone and that hasn't changed. Kapa haka is an inter-generational passion and is for everyone who wants to get involved, no matter who you are kaumatua, pakeke, tamariki or mokopuna or where you are from. At its heart, Te Matatini is inclusive of the many faces of our community, welcoming and embracing everyone to feel connected and to participate in the celebration of kapa haka excellence.

How has the festival grown?

It began in 1972 as the New Zealand Polynesian Festival, involving 17 groups performing in front of 5000 spectators. At Te Matatini Herenga Waka Herenga Tangata 2023, 1800 kaihaka were performing in front of 70,000 and a global viewership of over 1.8 million. Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga will be the biggest national kapa haka festival ever held. With 55 teams qualifying the highest number in history we had to add another day to the programme, going from February 25 to March 1.

We have partnered again with TVNZ and Whakaata Māori, which is a significant triumph as it means the power and beauty of kapa haka at the most elite level can be enjoyed by everyone. And since 2009, Te Matatini has championed inclusivity through initiatives like Haka Translate, which now includes six languages, ensuring kapa haka is accessible to audiences around the world.

Kapa haka has grown and adapted, pushing the creative and innovative boundaries while still holding true to traditional Maori performing arts. From Te Matatini Herenga Waka Herenga Tangata 2023, the economic contribution to the Auckland region was approximately $22 million. We are forecasting a similar contribution to the Taranaki region following Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025.

What does your role involve in terms of managing this much larger event?

I am lucky to have an amazing team of people helping to deliver the festival but mostly my role is to ensure the festival leadership team stays focused to achieve the biggest Maori performing arts event in the world. We worked very closely with the festival host, Te Kahui Maunga, and our chairman and national board members also play significant roles in supporting the festival.

Where is the festival heading?

Te Ptau Whakarei, Te Matatini Society Incorporated's 10-year strategic plan (2017-2027) outlines the goals that we have in creating a significant shift for the organisation from one that stages a biennial national kapa haka festival, into one that recognises that kapa haka plays a vital role in the health and wellbeing of te ao Maori.

The future prosperity of kapa haka and Maori wellbeing is dependent on sustained, intergenerational interest and participation.

The growth of our kaupapa and the success of Te Matatini is tied to the development of our rohe (regions). Kapa haka is an important part of differentiating Aotearoa New Zealand internationally and supports the fostering of connections globally. Te Matatini will continue to showcase kapa haka excellence to the world by supporting international tours and visits through our International Touring Fund while supporting the development and growth of kapa haka at the grassroots.