Premiere Venue Confirmed for Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival

1 December, 2017

Premiere Venue Confirmed for Biennial Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival

WELLINGTON - Te Matatini Society Incorporated is excited to announce the Westpac Trust Stadium is the chosen venue for the 2019 Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival.

The traditional Māori cultural arts festival will take place between February 20-24 in Te Whanganui-a-Tara and local organisers say they are thrilled to secure a premiere venue to take the Kapa Haka world to new heights.

Te Matatini Chairman, Selwyn Parata, said the popular central city based venue was selected as it would cater well for crowds and was easily accessible due to Wellington’s extensive public transport network.

“It is a multi-purpose facility with a 34,500 seat capacity, a 350 seat VIP lounge capacity, 15 food and beverage outlets, 750 public carparks and is a stone’s throw away from the Wellington Railway Station.

“We’ve done our research and believe the venue has the X-factor to ensure not only an affordable and successful festival for whānau, but one that attracts non-Māori audiences and international visitors.”

Mr Parata outlined the details of the due diligence process undertaken by Te Matatini, local Iwi and the Wellington Māori Cultural Society at a special launch event held at Te Wharewaka o Poneke this afternoon.

“Our priority for the choice of venue is the wellbeing of our Kaihaka. The Westpac Trust Stadium has first-rate facilities which can cater for the expected 1,600 performers and 55,000 plus ticket holders who regularly attend the four-day cultural festival,” said Mr Parata.

Other considerations included the weather protection offered by the 24,000 covered seats within the stadium and the ability to accommodate kaumatua and whānau with special needs.

Te Matatini Chief Executive, Carl Ross, said he was confident that the Westpac Trust Stadium provided a venue that elevates Te Matatini performers onto a world-class stage.

“We will continue to work together with the Wellington Māori Cultural Society, local Iwi and strategic partners to ensure the success of the 2019 Festival in New Zealand’s capital of arts.”

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