September 11, 2023

Kapa haka innovator to get keeper of the flame award

Adam Gifford Posted On September 11, 2023

Te Mātārae I Ōrehu leader Wetini Mitai-Ngatai, who earlier this year announced his kapa was retiring from competition at Te Matatini, will be this year's winner of the keeper of the tradition award at the Waiata Māori Music Awards.

Te Mātārae I Ōrehu leader Wetini Mitai-Ngatai, who earlier this year announced his kapa was retiring from competition at Te Matatini, will be this year’s winner of the keeper of the tradition award at the Waiata Māori Music Awards.

Mitai-Ngatai led the Rotorua-based group to victory in 2000 and 2011 and took the male leadership trophy six times.

The awards trust says as well as inspiring other performers, he has shown entrepreneurial flair not only with the tourism venture Mitai Māori Village but in owning and operating sleep pods at the Dubai International Airport and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia.

The awards will be presented at a virtual event on Whakaata Maori, in October, which will also include footage of a special concert tomorrow night at Omahu Marae in Heretaunga for people recovering from the cyclone.