Tēnā koutou katoa
I’m pleased to share with you our latest Matakōrero. It’s full of important information about Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025 and also highlights other mahi we are involved in.
On Friday 20 September the Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025 Festival and brand was successfully launched with Te Kāhui Maunga Society Incorporated, Ngā Iwi o Taranaki, Te Ranga Tupua, the Te Matatini National Board, and invited guests at Pukekura, Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth.
Te Kāhui o Taranaki Trust Chief Executive, Wharehoka Wano, opened our event and shared an incredible video showcasing the region in the lead up to Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga, He Kāhui Tupua, He Kāhui Wairua. Watch the video here.
Chairman, Tā Herewini Parata, spoke of kapa haka being more than a performing art - it is the heartbeat of our nation. His full speech has been included in this issue as it encompasses everything that is great about Kapa Haka.
Te Matatini National Board member, Maui Tangohau, announced the names of the 51 judges and explained the careful and thorough process behind selecting judges for Festival 2025.
Te Reanga Mōrehu o Rātana representative, Te Taepa Kameta, confirmed Taranaki is not the only region that's going to benefit. Whanganui, Rangitikei, and other surrounding rohe will have the prime opportunity to capitalise on hosting Festival 2025. The icing on the cake was having original members of the Patea Māori Club supported by Taranaki Whānui singing Poi E to close our launch event.
Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga is looking to be the biggest and the best Te Matatini festival that’s ever been run. We are expecting 70,000 people to the Bowl of Brooklands and approximately two million live viewers. The forecasted $27 million direct economic contribution will be a massive injection to the rohe.
To keep up to date with news and information go to our website www.tematatini.co.nz or follow us on our social media channels.
Mana Motuhake ki te kāinga. Matatū, Mataora, Matatini ki te ao.
Carl Ross | Manahautū
Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga Launch Events
Tā Herewini Parata
Mana motuhake ki te kāinga, matatū, mataora, matatini ki te ao. This is our vision for Te Ao Kapa Haka.
In 2023 and again this year, after many years of advocating for equitable funding, Te Matatini received a significant increase in its annual budget allocation from the Government, to develop a strong kapa haka network across Aotearoa.
There’s a misconception that with the recent increase in funding for Te Matatini, sponsorship for the festival is no longer necessary. However, our vision is to meet the growing demands and support the expansion of kapa haka within our communities, which is where the majority of this funding has been allocated. We still rely heavily on sponsorship to cover the costs of running the Te Matatini festival itself. I want to thank all of our sponsors who have returned and welcome our new sponsors and supporters.
Kapa haka is more than a performing art – it is the heartbeat of our nation. It unites us, it breaks down barriers, it carries the stories and wisdom of our ancestors and the hopes of our whānau. It provides our whānau, and our tamariki mokopuna with the opportunity to learn and pass on the traditions of our tupuna, ensuring that our culture not only survives but thrives.
The benefits of kapa haka ripple far and wide throughout our communities and beyond our shores. Whether practiced in our communities, in schools, on marae, or at national competitions like Te Matatini, kapa haka strengthens the ties that bind us all. Communities come together to celebrate our shared heritage, and we have seen this grow from strength to strength.
The discipline, creativity, teamwork and unity in kapa haka brings people together and enriches their lives. It supports their wellbeing, fosters a sense of belonging to our culture, and immerses them in te reo Māori. Kapa haka has been proven to have a positive transformative impact on anyone who participates.
Internationally, kapa haka has played a significant role in diplomatic and cultural exchanges, promoting Aotearoa as a nation deeply rooted in its indigenous heritage. We saw this pride displayed at the recent Paris Olympics. Kapa haka also plays a vital role in representing our country on all trade missions with the Government. Through kapa haka we have been able to share our uniqueness as Māori to the rest of the world, as Te Māori did 40 years ago.
All these benefits that kapa haka brings to our society culminate here on the stage. Performances on the stage require discipline, innovation, creativity and knowledge of our traditions. This starts in our homes, our family gatherings, on our marae, in our communities, and our educational institutions, on the regional stage, and ultimately showcasing excellence on the Te Matatini stage.
Here we are after 30 years, back here in the rohe of Te Kāhui Maunga celebrating 52 years of our traditional performing arts. We officially launch Festival 2025, Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga, He Kāhui Tupua, He Kāhui Wairua.
Maranga ake tū tonu mai Mauriora kia Ranginui e tū nei Mauriora kia Papatūānuku e takoto nei Mauriora ki te taiao e tauawhi nei i a tātou Haumi e Hui e Tāiki e
Tā Herewini Parata | Heamana
Ticket Prices for 2025 Festival: Prioritising affordability in light of challenging times
We are proud to announce that ticket prices for the highly anticipated 2025 Te Matatini Festival will remain unchanged from the 2023 competition, in recognition of the increasing hardship being experienced by whānau across Aotearoa. We understand the challenges many whānau are facing and are committed to ensuring that the cultural significance of kapa haka is accessible to everyone.
If you want to experience all five days of Te Matatini from Tuesday 25 February to Saturday 1 March, it will be more cost-effective to purchase a five-day pass and save up to $50. Ticket prices are:
Seniors / Pāhake (65+ years) single day ticket is $40, and a five-day pass is $150.
Adults / Pakeke (18-64 years) single day ticket is $50, and a five-day is $200.
Youth / Taitamariki (6-17 years) single day ticket is $35, and a five-day pass is $150.
Children / Tātarakihi (0-5 years) are free accompanied by an adult or legal guardian. They will receive a wristband on entry.
Go to the Te Matatini website for Ticket FAQs and to buy tickets and get up to date information.
Accommodation options at the Te Matatini Campground
If you would like to camp or bring a motorhome you can purchase a Camping Bundle Ticket which includes two 5-day passes and six nights of camping accommodation from Monday 24 February to Saturday 1 March 2025. The Camping + Festival Bundle packages are available for up to six people.
Go to our website for more information, including how to book a campsite.
Judges announced for Te Kāhui Maunga Festival
The 51 judges have been selected to judge kapa haka performances at Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga Festival 2025.
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.
The list of judges is available on our Te Matatini website www.tematatini.co.nz/2025-festival.
Volunteers, Stallholders and FAQs
VOLUNTEERS
If you would like to volunteer at Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025 please email volunteering@tematatini.co.nz.
Additionally, we welcome you to complete the expression of interest (EOI) to volunteer form here. All those who complete an EOI will be sent an email with the official application link to apply.
STALLHOLDERS
We received a high level of interest in our Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025 Marketplace. All applicants have been notified regarding the outcome of their application. If you have not received an email yet, please contact stallholders@tematatini.co.nz.
FAQs
We have developed Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the Festival, Tickets, and Accommodation. We will keep updating FAQs to ensure whānau have the most up to date information.
More information including FAQs is available on our website www.tematatini.co.nz/2025-festival.
Angitu and Te Iti Kahurangi performers attend Shanghai Tourism Festival
Internationally kapa haka plays a significant role in promoting Aotearoa as a nation deeply rooted in its indigenous heritage and supporting international relations.
Haka performers from Angitu and Te Iti Kahurangi attended the 2024 Shanghai Tourism Festival representing Aotearoa.
Ngāti Rangiwewehi part of delegation to Malaysia and Korea
Te Arawa kapa Ngāti Rangiwewehi accompanied Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to Malaysia and the Republic of Korea in September.
Te Matatini Life Member, Trevor Maxwell CNZM, a long-time group member and former tutor, joined the 10 members representing the group and spoke with Rotorua Daily Post prior to the delegation leaving.
Te Whānau ā Apanui join Festival of Pacific Arts delegation to Hawaii
Members from Te Whānau ā Apanui, Te Matatini Herenga Waka Herenga Tangata Festival 2023 winners, were part of the 100 artists and performers representing Aotearoa at the Festival of Pacific Arts (FestPAC) giving audience members an unforgettable experience.
FestPAC creates a mātauranga space where cultural exchanges and indigenous knowledge, language and traditions are shared through art.
KAPA HAKA ACTIVATIONS
Te Matatini is proud to support and showcase Rohe Activations across Aotearoa and Te Whenua Moemoeā. Each Te Matakōrero – featuring a new event, story or profile - will highlight and celebrate the growth, development and regional participation in kapa haka.
On Thursday 19 September, Te Whanganui-ā-Tara saw its very first Mahuru Festival take shape thanks to the Wellington Māori Cultural Society, attracting 16 primary and intermediate school kapa to showcase their love for kapa haka.
Taking back the mana of haka!
Te Matatini proudly supported HAKA – Stand as a Nation, held on Sunday 29 September at Eden Park.
There was a call to the nation to attempt the Guinness World Record title for the largest haka and 6,531 kiwis proudly gathered to reclaim the record.
Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi Te Matatini Scholarships
Five Te Matatini Scholarships were presented to tauira pursuing the Postgraduate Diploma in Māori Performing Arts at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi on 13 September.
Head of Undergraduate School, Sheree Spooner, said the scholarships are significant for many reasons. “They not only acknowledge the outstanding commitment and talent of our tauira in the field of Māori Performing Arts but also reinforce the crucial role of kapa haka in maintaining and advancing mātauranga Māori.”