Te Tai Hauāuru MP says the rohe is demonstrating the power of kōtahitanga as hosts of Te Matatini 2025.
Day one of Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga is underway in Ngāmotu / New Plymouth, where 55 kapa from Aotearoa and Ahitereiria will perform over five days before thousands in attendance and millions watching worldwide.
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says it has been 31 years since the rohe last hosted Te Matatini, and the effort to be great hosts has been a collective one for Taranaki.
“That kotahitanga is a real theme but also a real actionable thing happening here. So excited to look forward to the first groups coming up. It’s just been a magic vibe. Sorry those that couldn’t be here, just turn on your big screens and turn on your radio and listen in. It’s going to be amazing,” says Ngarewa-Packer.
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says the pōwhiri proved that despite any challenges Māori face, we will continue to strive forward.
