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August 01, 2016
Chair of Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou, Chair of Te Matatini Selwyn Parata on Paakiwaha
Waatea Team
Posted On August 1, 2016
Chair of Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou, Chair of Te Matatini Selwyn Parata on Paakiwaha
People are travelling to Gisborne from all over the country to remember kapa haka legend Doctor Ngapo Wehi, QSM, better known as Uncle Bub who passed away on Sunday.
Kapa haka was his and his late wife Pimia (Nen) Wehi’s passion. The pair led two champion kapa haka groups, Waihirere from Te Aitanga a Mahaki, and Te Waka Huia, based in Auckland.
Their accomplishments are legendary. Ngapo Wehi is the most decorated exponent of Maori performing arts and holds the record for the most national wins in the history of kapa haka.
He was raised at Waioeka (Ngai Tuhoe, Te Whakatohea, Ngapuhi, Te Whanau-a-Apanui, Ngati Kahu) with 15 siblings, and educated at Waiti Primary, Waioeka Primary and Opotiki College.
In the ’70s the Ngapo and Pimia led Waihirere to victory at the national kapa haka competition (1972 and 1979) before the move to Auckland. The idea was to retire but instead they set up a whanau group in Waitakere in 1981 – Te Waka Huia.
In 1986, the group qualified for and won the supreme award at the kapa haka nationals.
They went on to win again in 1992, 1994, 2009 and 2013.
Selwyn Parata talks to Willie Jackson about the contribution Uncle Bub made to kapa.
Chair of Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou, Chair of Te Mataini Selwyn Parata on Paakiwaha
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