MEDIA RELEASE
THURSDAY 19th MAY, 2022
Budget 2022 Announcement falls short of providing equitable funding for Kapa Haka to flourish in Aotearoa.
“The benefits of Kapa Haka go beyond the performances people see. Kapa Haka is a unique and integral part of our identity in Aotearoa and on the world stage,” says Selwyn Parata, Chairman of Te Matatini.
Te Matatini welcomes the additional $1 million announced in the budget today however it is disappointing that it is not sufficient to allow us to expand on the positive contribution that Kapa Haka brings to Aotearoa.”
“Kapa Haka provides a platform to normalise the use of te reo Māori; it connects us to our cultural values and stories; it provides a pathway for higher education and keeps whānau healthy while also providing employment opportunities. The benefits of Kapa Haka permeate all aspects of our society.”
“Te Matatini celebrated its 50th anniversary of Kapa Haka this year, which has the second‐ largest active participation and third‐largest audience in the Arts which continues to grow. For all these years Te Matatini has ensured the close‐knit fraternity of Kapa Haka has thrived to stage the most prestigious Māori event in this country and the world”, says Mr Parata.
Carl Ross, Chief Executive of Te Matatini says that Kapa Haka provides a strong foundation for Māori development in all aspects of life, as evident in research undertaken, over two years, by The University of Auckland, Te Wananga o Raukawa and Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University. “Post the research, Te Matatini provided to Government an evidence‐ based report highlighting the fiscal contributions Kapa Haka makes to the national economy; positive attributes towards the Māori health index, the increased academic achievement levels of students who actively participate in Kapa Haka and the revitalisation of te reo Māori.”
The government funding for Kapa Haka in 1998 was $940,000 and was increased in the early 2000’s to $1.248 million and has stood at $1.948 million since 2016.
The Government must address the inequities that Māori continue to face. Kapa Haka is unique to Aotearoa. New Zealanders are recognised for Kapa Haka internationally and yet, here at home, we continue to be underfunded for the significant benefits Kapa Haka provides to our society,” said Mr Ross.
Mana motuhake ki te kāinga. Matatū, Mataora, Matatini ki te ao.
ENDS.
Media contact:
Janay Tauri
021 228 8322
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