MEDIA RELEASE
SATURDAY 25th FEBRUARY, 2023
Te Matatini Herenga Waka Herenga Tangata 2023 “a huge success”
Te Matatini Herenga Waka Herenga Tangata 2023 Festival has been a huge success with tens of thousands of people attending and tuning into the live coverage and digital media platforms, Te Matatini Chief Executive Carl Ross says.
The national kapa haka festival wrapped up at Ngā Ana Wai (Eden Park) in Tāmaki Makaurau on Saturday afternoon after four days of fierce competition.
Mr Ross says he is ecstatic with how it has gone.
“I’m happy because Te Matatini is here to bring Aotearoa together and help to rebuild our nation especially after the arrival of COVID-19, the recent floods, and Cyclone Gabrielle. I believe we’ve reached our goal of supporting Aotearoa to unite after such testing times,” he says.
“Watching the passion on stage and seeing our whānau enjoying themselves is why I love Te Matatini. I’ve had a lot of fun, especially being amongst the crowd and participating in the interactive activities with the kids. This event has proven that not even the rain could hold Ngāi Māori and Aotearoa whānui from coming together after four years,” he says.
“We may see changes to the art of kapa haka because of what we’ve witnessed here. It’s been marvellous to see our experienced performers and a new generation of kaihaka (performers) who’ve been nurtured through kōhanga, kura kaupapa and whare kura bringing a whole new element to the artform.”
Mr Ross is proud to have secured more sponsorship in the last four years.
“We’re thankful to our sponsors for contributing to this event. It’s been fantastic to have them on board as they can see the value of Te Matatini reaching our people and sharing their messages including around the Census, and health and intervention programmes,” he says.
Aotea will host the next Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival in 2025.