March 25, 2024
Majic Paora adds fresh note to kapa regionals
Muriwhenua emerged the winner in Te Tai Tokerau’s kapa haka regional competition held on Saturday at Whangārei’s McKay Stadium.
Home town teams Haatea and Te Puu Ao took the second and fourth slots for next year’s Te Matatini final in New Plymouth, but kapa haka maven Donna Carr says the big surprise was the third placegetter Te Uri o Manumanu, a new Ngati Whatua roopu coached by Joe Pihema.
“Listening to Majic Paora doing her solos and the waiata ringa and the whakawaatea, they were so beautiful to listen to and very refreshing, very happy they made it through to what would probably be their first time at nationals as well,” she says.
A highlight of the competition was the performance by a kapa of Far North DIsctrict Council kaimahi led by mayor Moko Tepania, who had a message for people to get out to vote.
Also the next generation of Auckland’s kapa haka were crowned once again at this year’s PolyFest.
On Saturday, the division one teams wrapped up the festival, with last year’s champions Ngā Puna o Waiōrea – Western Springs College winning again, with TKKM o Hoani Waititi Marae coming second and Te Wharekura o Ngā Maungarongo me TKKM o Te Kōtuku – Te Uamairangi coming third.