Judging processes and rules

Fifty-one judges have been selected to judge kapa haka performances at Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga Festival 2025 as teams compete for the title of national champion.

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.