Te Matatini The Festival

The Te Matatini biennial Festival is the largest celebration of traditional Māori performing arts excellence in the world. It encapsulates the power and beauty of Kapa Haka at the most elite level as groups from Aotearoa and Ahitereiria compete for the coveted title of National Champion.

The competition began in 1972, originally as the New Zealand Polynesian Festival involving 17 groups performing in front of 5,000 spectators.

We strive to enable all audiences from kohanga to kaumatua to have authentic Kapa Haka experiences as it contributes positively to the overall health and social wellbeing of whānau, as well as significantly playing a key role in revitalising te reo Māori.

  • 2025 Te Matatini Festival

    At Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 55 groups performed, the largest number ever. After four days of preliminary competition and one day of finals, Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue were declared overall winner for Te Matatini 2025.

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  • Taonga

    The final competition day marks the much-anticipated prize-giving ceremony with the announcement of the Toa Whakaihuwaka (overall winner) taonga and the naming of the teams in second and third place.

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  • Te Mahau

    Carving of the mahau began in late 2012 by carvers at the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZMACI). The mahau was unveiled in Rotorua at Te Matatini 2013 and has remained a permanent stage fixture at Te Matatini festivals since.

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  • Previous Festivals

    Get all the info relating to the past festivals of Te Matatini, from present day back to the original in 1972

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