March 02, 2018
Tough count for Te Arawa Kapa
Twenty one teams, six places.
That’s the equation as kapa haka in Te Arawa take to the atamira this weekend trying to secure their spot at the national championships in Whanganui a Tara next year.
Te Matatini representative Watu Mihinui from Tuhourangi-Ngati Wahiao says half the teams are pakeke, but they will want to show they’ve got what it takes to thrill a crowd.
"In the 2016 regionals the older Arawa on stage was 93 years young and still doing the poi. That is the level of suport our present day kapa receive from our people so we can help foster and further develop kapa haka within Te Arawa," she says.
The 4000-seat Rotorua Energy Events Centre should be full to capacity for the competition.
Copyright © 2018, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com