He Hītori Poto A brief history

In 2022 we celebrated 50 years of Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival. This would not have been possible if not for the many kapa haka performers, influential Māori leaders, te reo and kapa haka experts, and all supporting organisations and partners that committed their passion and energy to growing, developing and protecting kapa haka.

Key milestones

In 1970 the Polynesian Festival Committee was established (also known as the New Zealand Polynesian Festival Committee, the National Polynesian Festival Committee, and the Aotearoa Traditional Māori Performing Arts Festival National Committee. Now it is known as the Te Matatini National Committee).

From 1996 – 2004, the Aotearoa Traditional Māori Performing Arts Society Incorporated was established to support the Te Matatini National Committee.

  • 1970: The Māori Purposes Fund Board (MPFB) gave $5,000 to fund the first festival. Sir Duncan McIntyre was MPFB Chair and donated the trophy for the national festival’s overall winner. 

  • 1972: The first festival was held in Rotorua and was called the New Zealand Polynesian Festival. Waihīrere Māori Club won the competition.  

  • 1972: The New Zealand Polynesian Festival National Committee was established. Sir Kingi Ihaka was Chair from 1972 until 1983, and then from 1990 to 1993. 

  • 1983: The festival was renamed the Aotearoa Traditional Māori Performing Arts Festival and teams from other Pacific Island nations were no longer eligible to compete.  

  • 1984: Te Kuru-o-te-Marama Waaka was Chair from 1983 to 1990. 

  • 1990: Sir Kingi Ihaka was Chair from 1990 to 1993. 

  • 1993: Tā Tīmoti Kāretu was Chair from 1993 to 2004. 

  • 1996: The Aotearoa Traditional Māori Performing Arts Festival Committee was established as an incorporated society. 

  • 2004: The festival was renamed Te Matatini, "many faces". The name reflects the diversity of the competitors and their audience. 

  • 2004:  The name of our organisation changed from the Aotearoa Traditional Māori Performing Arts Society Incorporated to Te Matatini Society Incorporated 

  • 2004: Tama Huata was Chair from 2004 to 2008. 

  • 2008: Selwyn Parata was appointed Chair and still holds the position.  

  • 2010: Te Matatini became an international competition again when Manawa Mai Tawhiti from Perth, Western Australia participated. 

  • 2022: Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival celebrates 50 years 

  • 2022: Te Matatini Society Incorporated baseline funding increased from $1.94 million to $2.94 million. 

  • 2023: A further $17 million each year for two years was provided from Budget 2023 to implement a regional Kapa Haka development programme. 

  • 2025: Biggest Te Matatini National Festival will be held 25 February – 1 March 2025 in Ngāmotu | New Plymouth, comprising 55 teams over five days of competition. 

  • 2025: From 1 July 2025, our baseline funding will increase to $48.7 million over the next three years, which is approximately $19 million each year.