Gisborne group crowned Te Matatini winners

WINNERS: Te kapa Haka o Whangara Mai Tawhiti walked away with the prestigious Te Matatini National Kapa Festival trophy yesterday afternoon after four days of tough competition. PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR.

Loud cheers, whistles and claps rang around the stadium as a group hailing from the Whale Rider settlement were crowned the Te Matatini champions yesterday afternoon.

Whangara Mai Tawhiti, from Whangara near Gisborne, took out the largest kapa haka festival on earth, topping the other 47 teams from across the country.

The packed crowd, many of whom had been there since day one, roared with excitement when the winners were announced.

The winning kaitataki tane, Derek Lardelli, said he was thrilled when he heard their name called.

"This is a fabulous festival which encapsulates all of the mana of our ancestors which is carried through a very powerful group of people [at] Te Matatini. It is an honour and a privilege to win at this festival."

The runners up were five-time winners Te Waka Huia from Auckland.

Mr Lardelli said it was a humbling feeling knowing they were up against their cousins Te Waka Huia.

"We must pay tribute to them as we're closely related."

Whangara Mai Tawhiti, who were established in 1961 and then revived in 1976, won the festival back in 2007 and were runners up in 2009.

Mr Lardelli said they had come from a difficult position performing first on Friday but knew if they got through they had a chance of winning.

"We just needed to work hard and I take my hat off to my team as they're such hard workers. The key for us was never giving up."

The team worked on what the judges told them after the pool competition and went that extra mile so they got an edge on the other teams.

Mr Lardelli said that on Saturday they rested up and adjusted their routines according to what the feedback was.

"I think resting is critical to good performance so we did that and then we just went out there and aimed to make it a better performance on the day.

"We had more fun on Sunday and we just uplifted and pushed our team to another level and here is the result."

Te Matatini chairman Selwyn Parata said the team won was because they lifted their performance after the pool competition.

He said the heats were one thing but finals were another.

"The heats are a big ask but the group came back for the final and gave an improved performance and that is why they have gone home with the trophy."

Mr Lardelli thanked the crowd and host Ngati Kahungunu and described them as outstanding.

"Let's be honest, the crowd has been amazing and they made the performances, getting right behind all of the groups.

"Ngati Kahungunu whanui and the Ngati Kahungunu people to our relatives you have been exceptionally good, actually outstanding, so we thank you."