MEDIA STORIES

Taranaki has not yet grasped the opportunity of the looming Te Matatini national kapa haka festival, says a South Taranaki councillor.

With just six weeks to go until the world’s largest kapa haka festival, Te Matatini, kicks off in Taranaki, final touches are being made to ensure the smooth running of the competition.

Trevor Maxwell is a pioneer of Kapa Haka. He lives within his community – Awahou, Rotorua and is the longest serving councilman in New Zealand. His story is one of love, loss and leadership.

A celebrated kapa haka exponent, Ricky’s legacy is woven into the fabric of Māori performance. He was a past winner of the prestigious Manukura Tāne Trophy at Te Matatini and an esteemed leader of the Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti Kapa Haka. His leadership and devotion to te ao Māori uplifted generations on stage and within the wider community.

Te Matatini festival is expected to bring 70,000 people into the region, with accommodation already booked out

Carl discusses the contribution of kapa haka to the economy, social wellbeing, and international trade.

In an awe-inspiring display of Māori culture, the haka group Whāngārā Mai Tawhiti captured global attention with their powerful performances at two of the world’s most iconic venues in Paris: the Olympics and the Eiffel Tower.

The largest celebration of Pacific Island culture is set to get underway in just under two months' time. Following years of delays, Hawai'i now gets the chance to host the masses at this year's Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) hui for the first time in the events 52-year history. Ethan Oneroa begins our coverage leading up to the coveted event.

Te Kāhui Maunga kapa haka regional competition in Taranaki this weekend has sold out with more than 3000 fans scooping up the tickets, organisers say.

The Government’s continued recognition of and support for the important place Kapa Haka has in Aotearoa was evident today at a celebration at Te Wharekura o Kirikiriroa Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Willow-Jean Prime said.

Today RNZ Concert launches the new three-part series celebrating 50 years of NZ’s foremost Māori performing arts festival and national kapa haka competitions.

The three-part series Te Matatini 50 will be broadcast at 7pm Friday, Saturday and Monday of Matariki weekend on RNZ Concert – home to the finest music in Aotearoa. (Here is how to listen)

“From those beautiful beginnings to now it’s absolutely fantastic and a fantastic time to celebrate 50 years.”

– Carl Ross, Te Manahautū – Te Matatini

The clock is ticking for Te Matatini organisers who are searching for another 200 volunteers to ensure the event runs smoothly.

Chris & Sandra Henare have been recognised by Creative NZ and Te Matatini for their contributions to te ao Haka.

An annual kapa haka competition involving hundreds of kaimahi working in family violence and sexual violence specialist support services is underway in Kirikiriroa.

Teams began taking to the stage on Friday at the Claudelands Exhibition Hall as the “kapa haka for healing” swung into action.

Curator Trudi Taepa with an image of the late Dalvanius Prime, which features in the exhibition, Wawata. (Photo/Supplied)

Children at Blenheim’s Seymour Kindergarten have been practicing poi, pūkana and pronunciation as they rehearse for their upcoming Taiopenga performance.

The Muriwhenua kapa haka held their first wānanga, marking the beginning of their practices and trials as they gear up for Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga in New Plymouth next year. Chris Henare joins us to offer insights into how the group is preparing for the prestigious event, discussing the intense training, cultural refinement, and performance expectations that lie ahead. He’ll also share what challenges and goals the group has set, and what audiences can look forward to as Muriwhenua readies themselves to compete on the national stage. Here's his kōrero.

Representatives from Te Matatini had helped to set New Zealand apart, including cultural elements in the visits, Luxon said.

Te Whānau-ā-Apanui is set to grace the international stage at FestPAC in Hawai’i this June, with their journey promising more than just haka but a powerful demonstration of mana motuhake, the assertion of indigenous autonomy and identity.

Last week’s budget did include funding for the arts and culture sector – just not the arts and culture we’re used to seeing funded. And it’s long overdue, writes Sam Brooks.

“Kapa haka is a gateway concept: you open the door to kapa haka, you open the door to te ao Māori and that makes it hugely rich,” says Linda Waimarie Nikora.

Te Matatini has a connection to the Australian Performing Arts Teachers Association [APATA], which is Australia’s uniting body for teachers, educators and industry practitioners working and creating in the performing arts.

The inaugural National Kapa Haka Festival has big plans for its 50th anniversary.

Whakaata Māori will be actively informing their audience about where to watch and what to avoid clicking on and reassuring them that Te Matatini will be live and free across all Whakaata Māori channels.

Despite travel costs of up to $200,000, Australian groups like the Gold Coast’s Te Hau Tawhiti are eagerly preparing for Matatini 2025, valuing the cultural experience and connection with New Zealand’s kapa haka community.

Taranaki is already preparing to host the country’s biggest kapa haka festival Te Matatini in February with accommodation booked solid and retailers and restaurants being encouraged to extend their operating hours.

Four hundred tamariki will bring their school’s mana to the stage at the Ngā Putangitangi Kapa Haka competition today.

Stones carrying the mauri of Te Matatini have arrived in north Taranaki to bind and uplift the host tribes ahead of next year’s national kapa haka festival.

Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga preparations are underway as hundreds gather at Pukekura Park for the launch of the corporation’s new 2025 brand.

Kapa haka groups from across Australia will gather on the Gold Coast this weekend for the regional competitions to find the groups who will qualify for Te Matatini 2025.

It started with a karakia before work to bring everyone together.
Then it grew into something they never dared to imagine - a work based kapahaka that now has them aiming for a part in the biggest dance of all, Te Matatini.

The global stage is where the Te Matatini board and the Government hope to take the kapa haka event.

And the $30 million funding increase given to Te Matatini in last week’s Budget will help catapult the indigenous tournament into a big-time must-see global event.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Te Matatini, Aotearoa’s foremost celebration of kapa haka excellence. Over the last half-century, kapa haka has experienced rapid growth in popularity and become part of our national consciousness.

“We actually haven’t stopped preparing for Te Matatini. We’ve had a lot of hui with ngā kapa o Tāmaki to ensure when the time does come, we are ready.”

– Monique Maipi Pihema – Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei