Gabriel George, from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, and Bruce Robinson, of the Nisga'a people from Canada, were among the First Nations people, who are travelling around Aotearoa on a two-week indigenous health and wellbeing tour.
The itinerary for the trip, which spans from Auckland to Queenstown, was planned around being able to attend Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga. George described the kapa haka festival as “phenomenal”.
“It’s exciting to be here and see so many indigenous people.”
He said his people were in the process of revitalising their culture and language, for which there are no living fluent speakers, and Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga provided a model of that in action.
“I think this is the pinnacle of that, what is happening here is just tremendous.”
The Nisga'a people are a self-governing nation, after signing British Columbia's first modern treaty, which recognised its lands and court. Robinson, who is an elder, said there were many similarities between First Nations people in Canada and Māori, in terms of their experiences.
He said Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga was a “powerful” example of how important a strong identity and sense of pride was for people’s overall wellbeing. George said the biggest impression the festival had left on him was the way Māori culture “is integrated in so many unique ways, and how effective it is”.
“It’s given me more wind behind my canoe to really dig harder into my work.”
Meanwhile, Maria Bogado, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic, Ambassador of the Republic of Chile Manahi Pakarati Novoa, High Commissioner for Canada Keith Smith and Australia’s inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People Justin Mohamed all spoke glowingly of the kapa haka festival.
Novoa, who is the only diplomat of Polynesian Rapanui ancestry in the Chilean foreign service, said she had been to Te Matatini before, and had brought her two children along this time to experience it.
“I think it’s growing a lot and I wanted them to see how the Māori people express their culture and their pride”.
Mohammed said the “immense” cultural connections between the indigenous people of Australia and New Zealand had been forged over centuries. And while there were strong sporting and cultural ties already in place between the two countries, he saw the capacity to forge new economic connections too.
Bogado, who has had previous diplomatic postings in Spain and Geneva, said it was her first visit to Te Matatini, before acknowledging the ongoing efforts made by Māori to share their culture.
“I’m really honoured to be here.”
Smith, who is a member of the Thessalon First Nation people from Ontario, Canada, said he purposely timed his visit to Aotearoa so he could attend Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga. He said there were already “real synergies” between Canadian First Nations people and Māori, and he only saw the potential for this relationship to grow, especially in terms of trade, commerce and education.
Smith also had high praise for the ongoing efforts being made in Aotearoa to nurture te reo Māori.
“Māori are world leaders in terms of the revitalisation of indigenous language.”
Carl Ross, Te Manahautū Te Matatini is proud to say that “Kapa haka is vital for preserving and reviving Māori culture, language, and traditions. It fosters a sense of identity and ensures that our rich cultural heritage is passed down to future generations.
“Through kapa haka we promote learning and understanding of Te Ao Māori, its traditional practices and values. It enriches cultural knowledge and plays a significant role in the revitalisation of te reo Māori.
“I was honoured to host our international manuhiri at Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga and to hear of the memorable and meaningful impact it is having on them.”