Tihei: Kapa haka event joyous occasion

A group performing at the kapa haka event. Photo / Supplied

Ngāti Kahungunu Haka Ngāhau (celebration) was billed as the kapa haka event of the year and it lived up to that headline in a spectacular fashion.

Thousands of excited and enthusiastic kapa haka followers packed Toitoi Arts & Events Centre in Hastings on Saturday, August 14.

They clapped and cheered as 500 performers from 12 kapa haka groups sang and danced in a joyous and moving journey.

It's the first time the Ngāti Kahungunu national kapa haka finalists at primary, secondary school and Te Matatini level have performed on the same stage.

Pefi Kingi, a supporter of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga, said, "They made me cry and I felt so proud to see on stage students, tutors, staff and parents performing together as one. Amazing."

Ngatai Huata was there to watch her grandchildren perform.

"Today kapa haka has lifted to a whole new level. The confidence and skill level of young and seasoned performers on stage was a highlight for me."

This event came about due to the decision by Te Matatini National Board to postpone the national festival at Eden Park Auckland for February 2021 until 2022, due to the risks to the welfare of kaumātua and whānau posed by Covid-19.

Instead, Te Matatini announced they would replace the 2021 festival with 12 regional kapa haka ngāhau (celebration) events.

Selwyn Parata chairman of Te Matatini said, "These non-competitive events will support whānau and communities to foster and celebrate kapa haka within their regions."

This revised approach was to reduce the risks associated with travel out of the regions to large gatherings while at the same time allowing for broad participation.

Funding was approved from the Arts and Culture Covid Recovery Programme to support this series of regional kapa haka ngāhau events.

Māori TV provided live and streaming coverage of the event in Aotearoa, Australia and the Pacific.

"I watched the livestream," said Piki Reti. "Our iwi is so blessed to have such amazing kai haka (performers) and I think the haka ngāhau concept should be a permanent thing."

"We were so glad to be there," said Rose Reid.

"The performances had us on the edge of our seats. It was absolutely thrilling to watch. To see those babies performing so well alongside their parents is an absolutely precious memory."

The organisers of the Hawke's Bay event, Ngāti Kahungunu Runanga Arts & Culture, gave each performing group a performance fee to assist with their travel to compete at their national competitions.

The teams representing Ngāti Kahungunu at Te Matatini next year are Ngāti Ranginui – Tauranga Moana, Mātangirau – Wairoa, Te Rangiura o Wairarapa, Wairarapa and Tamatea Arikinui – Tamatea.

Te Rangi Huata is Ngāti Kahungunu event manager