Anticipating Te Matatini: Māori music celebrated in exhibitions

Atereano Mateariki Trudi Taepa | Anticipating Te Matatini: Māori music celebrated in exhibitions

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New Plymouth’s Puke Ariki Museum is spotlighting the power of kapa haka and honouring Māori songwriting.

Opening last weekend, the Wawata exhibition celebrates Dalvanius (Maui Harawi) Prime’s legacy through memorabilia and a documentary, while Te Whatu Pareārohi showcases kapa haka’s role in enhancing wellbeing and sets the stage for Te Matatini 2025.

Curator Trudi Taepa says these exhibitions are the first of seven set to open by the time Te Matatini is held in February.

Te Whatu Pareārohi also features a display chronicling Te Matatini’s history.

“It shows Te Matatini from when it first started in 1972 as the Polynesian festival, right up to today, and that shows where it was hosted and who won. So it gives visitors a really good idea of the breadth and the impact and the power Te Matatini has had for many years within Aotearoa,” says Taepa.

Both exhibitions run until July 13, 2025.

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