Matatini 2025 was a huge success, according to its organisers.
“Participation in kapa haka and viewership of kapa haka continues to build each year. Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga, held in Ngāmotu, was our biggest festival yet with 2,200 kaihaka taking the stage over five days, 63,938 attendees at Pukekura Park, and over five million streams across TVNZ and Whakaata Māori.” said CEO Carl Ross
The impact evaluation report confirms that Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga brought numerous benefits and making a direct economic contribution of nearly $24 million to the local economy in Taranaki.
Audiences rated Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 9.0 out of 10, with satisfaction being high across the board but highest overall amongst stallholders/exhibitors.
Feedback on the 2025 event was even more positive than previous years, with attendees endorsing Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga for a wide range of social and cultural impacts. Almost all survey respondents indicated they were likely to attend again.
Most notably, 2025 saw a significant increase in the proportion of survey respondents agreeing that Te Matatini “has increased my interest in Māori culture” and that it has “helped to expand my knowledge of Māori culture and cultural activities”.
Stakeholders also endorsed Te Matatini 2025 for its wide range of social and cultural impacts; notably for bringing people together, increasing interest in Māori culture, expanding knowledge of Māori culture and creating new economic opportunities for pakihi Māori (Māori businesses).
