Kapa haka to the limit

Palmerston North hosts the National Kapa Haka Competition at the Te Matatini National Festival from February 24-27. More than 1200 winning performers from regional kapa haka competitions will compete in Maori performing arts disciplines. Exciting new components are contemporary Maori dance, drama, poetry, storytelling, visual and fine arts, oratory, carving, weaving and ta moko, or tattoo.

Four stages offer a diverse range of artists, with one stage hosting indigenous performers from the Pacific and the Americas. Te Matatini starts with a powhiri at 1pm on February 24, with an opening pageant at 8pm. Food, craft and exhibition stalls will also be found at the venue, Arena Manawatu.

Contact: (04) 499 6158