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TE MATATINI - KAPA HAKA AOTEAROA

Writer's pictureShannyn Boyd

CAPITAL CITY HOSTING MAJOR KAPA HAKA FESTIVAL


MEDIA RELEASE


THURSDAY 21st MARCH, 2024


Capital city hosting major kapa haka festival


Wellington City will be hosting the Te-Whanganui-a-Tara senior kapa haka regionals for the

first time in ten years with six teams performing including a group comprised of workers

from the Wellington City Council.


Additionally, this year's competition promises to be especially memorable with the debut of

a brand new group, Te Kairangi ō Poutama, of Ngāti Toa, set to make their mark on the

stage alongside seasoned performers at the Michael Fowler Centre on Saturday 23rd March.


This year’s MCs are popular social media sensation, Nix Adams, veteran broadcaster Te

Hamua Nikora, and Te Rangingahina Moeahu of Te Atiawa.


Te Matatini Te-Whanganui-a-Tara delegate, Te Teira Davis, says the last time the district

hosted the kapa haka regionals was in 2020 after a series of postponements due to the

Covid-19 lockdowns. The organisers are excited to return after a four-year hiatus.


"It’s always an exciting time seeing and feeling the wairua of haka and whanaungatanga

come to the fore of such an event."


From February to May, hundreds of teams from 13 regions in New Zealand and Australia will

compete in their respective regional qualifiers to vie for a spot at Te Matatini in New

Plymouth, Taranaki in 2025.


Kapa haka teams in Mataatua, Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Tauihu o te Waka a Māui, Te Arawa and

Te Kāhui Maunga have already completed their regional competitions with 22 groups

qualifying for the national Te Matatini Festival in 2025.


After the Te-Whanganui-a-Tara regionals, two more teams will qualify for Te Matatini.


Te -Whanganui-a -Tara Kapa Haka a Rohe will be held at the Michael Fowler Centre in

Wellington Saturday 23rd March 2024.


Whakaata Māori are our exclusive broadcast partner for The Road to Te Matatini.

Download the Māori+ app or visit their website at www.maoriplus.co.nz to witness the

magic of kapa haka.

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