Matatū, Mataora, Matatini ki te ao.
Earlier this year, students studying Māori Performing Arts were given the invaluable opportunity to attend the 53rd Biannual Te Matatini Festival, which was held at Pukekura Park in New Plymouth. This event provided students with a chance to engage deeply with kapa haka, and to witness a vibrant celebration of a culture.
Te Matatini is a prestigious event that showcases the best kapa haka groups from Aotearoa and Australia. The festival serves as a platform for groups to not only perform but also come together as a community, express collective grief, and celebrate Māori culture kapa haka. This year's festival saw the participation of 55 groups, offering a whole range of performances to thousands of spectators.
In addition to the performances, students had the opportunity to explore food and clothing stalls, allowing them to purchase items and experience the festive atmosphere surrounding the event.
A key highlight of the festival was the involvement of four students of our own. These students were part of two kapa: Te Whirikoko o Rangitāne, a new kapa formed in Palmerston North, and Te Tū Mataora, another local kapa.
The students who participated were:
● Ihaka Rapira (representing Te Whirikoko o Rangitāne)
● Ngarunui Wihongi (representing Te Whirikoko o Rangitāne)
● Aperahama Kahukoti (representing Te Whirikoko o Rangitāne)
● Noah Mokalei (representing Te Tū Mataora)
According to the students, their experience at Te Matatini was a transformative and enriching journey, filled with history to learn, perform, and connect with their peers and the wider kapa haka community.
More recently, the four students had the privilege of attending t
he formal welcoming of the winning kapa haka group, Ngāti Whakaaue, to Palmerston North. During this event, Ngāti Whakaaue brought the Te Matatini taonga, allowing students to see and touch the prestigious award for the first time. This moment was a great experience for our students, who were able to witness the success and pride of the winning group firsthand.
A workshop was held for students and senior kapa haka members, providing an opportunity for both groups to immerse themselves further into the practice of kapa haka and engage in whakawhanaungatanga (relationship building). This workshop contributed to strengthening cultural bonds and enhancing the students' understanding of the art form and its significance in Māori culture.
A special thank you to Whaea Debi Marshall-Lobb in organising the trip to Te Matatini for the Māori Performing Arts students and Todd Taiepa and Leon Tufuga from the Palmerston North City Council (PNCC) for their support in looking after the students at the event
The 53rd Biannual Te Matatini Festival provided our Māori Performing Arts students with an unforgettable experience, offering them a deeper connection to their culture, kapa haka, and the broader community. This opportunity not only allowed students to participate in a major cultural event but also enriched their understanding of their heritage and its contemporary expressions. We look forward to further opportunities for our students to engage in such transformative experiences.
E kore rawa ngā mihi matihere ki ngā kapa o Te Tū Mataora me Te Whirikōkō o Rangitāne. Nā koutou a tātou pia i poipoi, i whakaara ake i te ngākau me te mana o te tangata.
