February 26, 2024
All simles as Mataatua gather for kapa haka
The population of the Eastern Bay of Plenty village of Torere swelled from 300 to 10,000 at the weekend as Mataatua gathered to chose its kapa haka for the next national competitions.
Te Matatini Mataatua representative Te Kahautu Maxwell says it was a great effort by the Ngai Tai hosts at Te One Marae.
“The last time they held it was 14 years ago so that’s the highlight, being able to host and it was the first regional festival Mataatua has come together since Covid so just seeing the joy and passion on our people’s faces just ot be united against as a people of Mataatua to celebrate our culture,” he says.
Top team was Te Whānau a Apanui, followed by Ōhinemataroa ki Ruatāhuna with Tauira mai Tawhiti and newcomers Te Taumata o Apanui third equal and Ōpōtiki mai Tawhiti and Te Kapa Haka o Ruatoki taking the other available slots.