Judging and Rules 2027
Appointments to the judging panel for Te Matatini o Ngā Taniwha 2027 reflect the strength of te reo Māori and tikanga, the depth of knowledge within performing arts, and those helping to maintain its high standards for future generations.
Thirty-five Judges across seven aggregate items and nine non-aggregate items have been appointed to the judging panel for Te Matatini o Ngā Taniwha 2027, bringing together experts in traditional Māori performing arts from Aotearoa and Australia.
Seven Matatoki or senior adjudicators, will work alongside the wider judging panel led by Chief Judge (Kaiwhiriwhiri Matua) Watson Ohia.
Watson Ohia, Kaiwhiriwhiri Matua (Head Judge)
Ngā Kaiwhiriwhiri –The Judges
| AGGREGATE ITEMS | JUDGE | ROHE |
| Whakaeke (Entry) | Fred Henare | Tāmaki Makaurau |
| Haani Huata | Tainui | |
| Rev. Dr. Te Hira Paenga | Te Tai Tokerau | |
| Robyn Hata-Gage | Mātaatua | |
| Sheree Spooner | Kahungunu | |
| Mōteatea (Traditional Chant) | Charlie Rahiri | Kahungunu |
| Dr. Wayne Ngata | Te Tai Rāwhiti | |
| Georgina Kerekere | Te Tai Rāwhiti | |
| Maia Mihaka | Waitaha | |
| Turuhira Hare | Mātaatua | |
| Waiata ā Ringa (Action Song) | Alexia Greening | Te Tau Ihu |
| Kimoro Te Wakaunua Taiepa | Te Whenua Moemoeā | |
| Leon Blake | Tainui | |
| Nga Hiriwa Mapu | Kahungunu | |
| Thomas Parata | Waitaha | |
| Poi | Dr. Donna Morrison | Te Arawa |
| Kelly Henare | Tāmaki Makaurau | |
| Lavinia Winiata | Te Tai Rāwhiti | |
| Linda Te Aho | Tainui | |
| Te Ara Vakaafi | Te Arawa | |
| Haka | Haturini McGarvey | Mātaatua |
| Hemi Tai Tin | Tāmaki Makaurau | |
| Hōhua Mohi | Te Arawa | |
| Paora Sharples | Tāmaki Makaurau | |
| Reimana Tūtengaehe | Waitaha | |
| Whakawātea (Exit) | Anthony De Thierry | Te Tau Ihu |
| Kimiora Webster | Te Arawa | |
| Margaret Dawn Hill | Mātaatua | |
| Pimia Wehi | Te Tai Rāwhiti | |
| Tuhoe Huata | Te Arawa | |
| Te Kairangi o Te Mita o Te Reo (Māori Language Excellence) | Dr. Petina Winiata | Rangitāne |
| Dr. Rāwiri Tinirau | Te Kāhui Maunga | |
| Dr. Raukura Roa | Tainui | |
| Moana Aroha Henry | Te Tai Tokerau | |
| Ngaringi Katipa | Te Whanganui a Tara |
| NON-AGGREGATE ITEMS | JUDGE | ROHE |
| Waiata ā Tira (Choral) | Leon Blake | Tainui |
| Thomas Parata | Waitaha | |
| Lavinia Winiata | Te Tai Rāwhiti | |
| Manukura Wahine (Best Female Leader) | Turuhira Hare | Mātaatua |
| Dr. Donna Morrison | Te Arawa | |
| Pimia Wehi | Te Tai Rāwhiti | |
| Manukura Tāne (Best Male Leader) | Rev. Dr. Te Hira Paenga | Te Tai Tokerau |
| Hōhua Mohi | Te Arawa | |
| Kimiora Webster | Te Arawa | |
| Kākahu (Costume) | Fred Henare | Tāmaki Makaurau |
| Kelly Henare | Tāmaki Makaurau | |
| Tuhoe Huata | Te Arawa | |
| Te Kairangi o Te Reo ā Tuhi (Excellence in Lyric Writing) | Dr. Petina Winiata | Rangitāne |
| Dr. Rāwiri Tinirau | Te Kāhui Maunga | |
| Ngaringi Katipa | Te Whanganui a Tara | |
| Te Titonga Hōu - Mōteatea (Best Original Composition - Traditional Chant) | Dr. Wayne Ngata | Te Tai Rāwhiti |
| Dr Raukura Roa | Tainui | |
| Moana Aroha Henry | Te Tai Tokerau | |
| Te Titonga Hōu - Waiata ā ringa (Best Original Composition - Acting Song) | Alexia Greening | Te Tau Ihu |
| Kimoro Te Wakaunua Taiepa | Te Whenua Moemoeā | |
| Nga Hiriwa Mapu | Kahungunu | |
| Te Titonga Hōu - Poi (Best Original Composition - Poi) | Haani Huata | Tainui |
| Robyn Hata-Gage | Mātaatua | |
| Te Ara Vakaafi | Te Arawa | |
| Te Titonga Hōu - Haka (Best Original Composition - Haka) | Hemi Tai Tin | Tāmaki Makaurau |
| Paora Sharples | Tāmaki Makaurau | |
| Reimana Tūtengaehe | Waitaha |
| MATATOKI | SENIOR ADJUDICATOR | ROHE |
| Whakaeke | Pakake Calm Winiata | Rangitāne |
| Mōteatea | Ruki Tobin | Te Tai Tokerau |
| Waiata ā Ringa | Ruakiri Fairhall | Te Arawa |
| Poi | Rhonda Tibble | Te Tai Rāwhiti |
| Haka | Mark Pirikahu | Te Kāhui Maunga |
| Whakawātea | Tei Nohotima | Te Tai Rāwhiti |
| Te Mita o Te Reo | Rangi Te Whiu Jury | Te Whenua Moemoeā |
There are three Reserve Judges - Mark Kopua (Te Tai Rāwhiti), Hone Tobin (Te Tai Tokerau), and Leanne Kerehoma (Rangitāne)
How Judges are selected
The process of selecting judges is careful and thorough, with 13 regions nominating candidates who are highly qualified, impartial, experienced in performing and in the intricacies of the respective kapa haka disciplines.
Each rohe submits a list of judges and the first and second choices of judges from each rohe are automatically appointed to their preferred discipline. If there is a shortage of judges in a specific discipline, further judges from the rohe lists are then considered.
Judges scores and comments will be entered into an automated system, which will identify the three teams from each pool with the highest marks to go through to the finals.
Judging then starts over again to find Te Toa Whakaihuwaka - the best kapa haka overall in seven compulsory disciplines: whakaeke (entrance), mōteatea (traditional chant), waiata ā-ringa (action song), poi (song with poi), haka, whakawātea (exit) and te kairangi o te reo (excellence in Māori language).
Trophies are also awarded to the winners of each discipline, and for the best choral, male and female leader, costume, and original compositions.