24 February 2013

Waikato-Tainui Kapa Haka Success

Today’s success by Waikato-Tainui kapa haka groups, Te Iti Kahurangi and Te Pou O Mangatawhiri, at the national kapa haka festival in Rotorua is expected to boost the popularity of this traditional performing art amongst tribal members.

The Te Matatini Festival is held every two years to find the best kapa haka practitioners in the land. Both Te Iti Kahurangi and Te Pou O Mangatawhiri were named in the top nine groups (of a total 41 groups) to perform in the finals today.

Te Iti Kahurangi, competing as a finalist for the first time, was named third equal best overall group. Both groups took out a raft of individual awards, including:
Te Iti Kahurangi:

1st - Te Reo (Maaori language quality)
1st – Whakaeke (entry)
1st – Mooteatea (traditional chant)
1st – Waiata-aa-Ringa (action song)
1st – Te Manukura Wahine (female leader)
2nd – Waiata-aa-Tira (choral item)
3rd – Te Manukura Tane (male leader)

Te Pou O Mangatawhiri:

1st – Titonga Waiata Hou: Haka (original composition: haka)
1st - Titonga Waiata Hou: Waiata-aa-Ringa (original composition: action song)
3rd - Titonga Waiata Hou: Poi (original composition: poi)

The Waikato-Tainui region was also represented at Te Matatini by a third qualifying group, Ngaa Pou O Roto.
Waikato-Tainui chief executive Parekawhia McLean congratulated the teams and hoped their outstanding performances would encourage more tribal members to consider participating in kapa haka.

“As a tribal authority we have a role to play in supporting the traditions of Maori performing arts so that they are fostered and preserved for future generations,” said Ms McLean.
“The performances of these roopu show that our kapa haka skills are amongst the very best in Aotearoa and the groups deserve every accolade. My hope is that tribal members, particularly rangatahi, will be inspired by this success and become involved so that this cultural tradition remains strong and is upheld,” said Ms Mclean.

The Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Lands Trust supported each group with $5,000 to fund travel and competition expenses.

Waikato-Tainui looks forward Te Matatini 2015 which will be hosted by Ngaai Tahu in Ootautahi (Christchurch).

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