TE MATATINI

Every two years the top Kapa Haka groups compete for the coveted national title at the Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival. From February 19th - 22nd, 2009 it will be held at Bay Park,Tauranga.

Thirty six teams are expected with some 1400 performers to compete at the National Festival. To earn the right to compete for the national title groups must first compete in their rohe.  That’s over 100 teams competing at regional levels, including Australia and for the first time ever Hawaii. 

Performers practice for thousands of hours to reach the standards expected at National level, practicing after work and on weekend live-ins.  For most it is not a recreation it is a passion, a lifestyle, one that is often inter-generational from grandparents, to the youngest mokopuna.

The teams who win through to the Nationals carry the pride and expectations of their iwi, hapu, whanau and friends.                    

The biennial Matatini festival is arguably the largest national Maori event in the country.  Over 100,000 people are expected with over 30 teams and some 1300 performers.

“It goes beyond performing.  It’s about all the hours of practice, the sweat, the tears, the anguish and the frustration they endured to reach the standard required for the nationals.”

“When a team finally stands on stage they are there for their people, their whanau who worked in the kitchens to feed them, who scrubbed the floors, who fundraised, who sacrificed and supported their journey to this very moment.”

Te Kepa Stirling
Te Matatini Chief Judge

Competition is fierce and the performers and their performances attract followers who can recall often many years later the minutest details of the performances.

Crowds in excess of 100,000 of all ages are expected for the three day event.

The order of performance (competition draw) will be conducted by a random draw process. The groups will then compete over two and a half days. The six top point scorers qualify for the Final.

Matatini’s mission is to foster, develop and protect the traditional Maori performing arts in the pursuit of excellence.

Matatini has raised the bar of excellence across the spectrum of competition with new procedures, new standards and new guidelines to ensure better consistency, fairness and transparency for judges and performers alike.