MEDIA RELEASE
THURSDAY 18th MAY, 2023
Te Matatini Funding Boost Welcomed
Te Matatini welcomes the boost in funding of $34.048m over two years announced in today’s Budget, saying it’s acknowledgement of the positive impact that Kapa Haka has on our society. A delighted Chief Executive Carl Ross said, “this funding has come at a critical time for our whānau as we look to actively support and recognise the contribution of Kapa Haka to our whānau, hapū and iwi and in our communities.
“Kapa haka is inclusive,” said Mr Ross, “and we want Kapa Haka to be the drawcard that unites communities, whānau, hapū and iwi to celebrate our diversity and to enjoy being immersed in our unique te ao Māori culture.”
“This funding will contribute towards Te Matatini’s new vision Mana Motuhake ki te kainga: Matatū, Mataora, Matatini ki te ao – rohe led, Te Matatini enabled. This will move us beyond the biennial Te Matatini festival, providing Te Matatini with sustainable resourcing to embed our rohe-based operating model, 70% of which will be provided directly to rohe.
Regionalisation will provide the platform to increase the positive contributions Kapa Haka makes to our diverse communities.”
The positive impact of Kapa Haka is widespread, as confirmed by a post-festival impact evaluation report that noted the overwhelming success of Te Matatini Herenga Waka Herenga Tangata held at Ngā Ana Wai Eden Park in February this year.
In excess of 70,000 people attended this year’s festival over the four days and the economic contribution to Tāmaki Makaurau was estimated to be at least $22 million, which is the highest contribution of all Te Matatini events evaluated since 2011.
A further 1.8 million people streamed the festival on TVNZ+ and the post-festival impact evaluation shows that 95% of people attending the festival indicated they were likely to attend again in the future. This sentiment is reflected in an exceptionally high Net Promoter Score of +85, which is an indicator used globally to measure customer engagement and loyalty, based on the likelihood of a customer recommending a product, service or experience.
Selwyn Parata, Te Matatini National Board Chairman, congratulated the Government on recognising the invaluable contribution of Kapa Haka. “This investment is timely and will benefit our society as a whole because the essence of Kapa Haka is to reinforce social collaboration and cohesion which is inclusive of all whānau, hapū and iwi and our diverse communities in Aotearoa.”