January 27, 2023
Extra putea to get teams to Te Matatini
Organisers of Te Matatini have announced an extra $5000 grant for kapa haka to help them get to Auckland for the biennial Māori performing arts festival in February.
Making the announcement of Radio Waatea, chair Selwyn Parata said teams are struggling to raise funds, cover existing whanau costs, and pay the costs of several months of practices.
Five teams have pulled out because of costs and other pressures, but with 45 remaining it will still be the biggest event on the Maori performing calendar.
“You know there’s been pressures on all our families. Not only the kapa that are unable to join Matatini this time, but even the kapa that are coming to Te Matatini. The pressures of covid, cost of living. The pressures of getting to practice and all those things… you know, I want to mihi to those kapa, they are still part of the Matatini family,” He says.
Tamaki Makaurau last hosted Te Matatini in 2002, and Selwyn Parata says he hopes the greater Auckland region as well as Waikato and Northland will take the opportunity to attend live performances rather than just watching it on tv.