Taranaki locals say Manaakitia te Maunga is the whakataukī for Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025.
Today marks the first day of performances, starting at 8:30 a.m. with Te Rōpū Manutaki from Hoani Waititi Marae in Henderson.
The largest pool of kapa haka—55 rōpū from Aotearoa and Ahitereiria—will perform under the mahua for an estimated 70,000 spectators at Pukekura / Brooklands Bowl in Ngāmotu over the next five days.
Local Keanne Horo (Ngāruahine, Taranaki) encourages everyone to enjoy themselves and embrace the manaaki of their maunga, Taranaki, throughout the festival.
“For us, it’s like to, you know, feel, touch, experience everything that is aroha and manaaki, making sure that everybody that is here is safe and well. And, you know, we do our utmost to look after people here, literally,” says Horo.
Other top-tier kapa taking the stage today include Te Kapa Haka ō Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti, dedicating their tū to their late kaitātaki tāne Ricky Mitai, as well as Hātea Kapa Haka, Te Pou o Mangatāwhiri, and reigning champions Te Whānau ā Apanui.
All performances can be watched live on Whakaata Māori and TV2 or on demand via Māori+ and TVNZ+.
