2025 Te Matatini Festival

What’s on this page: 2025 Te Matatini Festival?

From Tuesday 25 February 2025 to Saturday 1 March 2025, 55 groups will perform on stage at Pukekura/Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth to an audience of approximately 70,000, and an expected 2.5 million viewers on TV or online.

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.

We are honoured to welcome kaihaka, supporters, whanau and audiences to Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025.

Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga Launch Video

Pōwhiri

The pōwhiri for all kapa haka groups competing at Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga and their support teams, will be held on the morning of Monday 24 February 2025 at Maratahu Huakai / Yarrow Stadium, Maratahu Street, New Plymouth.

You can watch the live coverage of the pōwhiri on Whakaata Māori from 10:00am.

Qualifying Rōpū

Thirteen senior regional Kapa Haka competitions involving 201 teams, with approximately 67,500 attendees were held in 2024 - the biggest senior regional competitions held to date resulting in the highest number of qualifying rōpū ever - 55.

Here are the rōpū that will be competing at Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025.

qualifying teams and performing order.

Coverage of the 2024 Kapa Haka Regionals can be watched on MAORI+(external link)

Buy Tickets

The only place you can buy tickets for Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025 is through Ticketspace - click here to buy your tickets(external link).

Pre-wristbanding

Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga have four pre-wristbanding stations leading up to the festival.

Show your e-ticket or a printed copy of your ticket to our ringa hāpai, and Swap your ticket for a wristband. Easy as! Whānau who are camping will also receive their vehicle pass to access the Tūparikino campsite.

𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲: All ticket holders must be present to be wristbanded. We cannot give you wristbands to pass on. 

Hāwera

Saturday 22 February, 12.30pm - 3.00pm, TSB Hub, 17 Camberwell Road. To coincide with the Ride 4 Talei event.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐢

Sunday 23 February, 9.00am - 5.00pm, Sport Whanganui, 226 London Street.

𝐔𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐢

Sunday 23 February, 9.00am - 5.00pm, Urenui Community Centre, 13 Takiroa Street.

𝐍𝐠ā𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐮

Sunday 23 February, 10.00am - 4.00pm and Monday 24 February, 9.00am - 5.00pm, Centre City, 11 Gill Street, New Plymouth

 

FAQs

Full size image Camp Ground Map.

Camping Ground Map

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