Ratana kapa haka group wins regional competition at Ratana Pā near Whanganui

The stage at the Te Kahui Maunga Aotea Kapa Haka Regionals was set up so that people could see the Ratana temple behind it. Photo/ Lewis Gardner

We wanted to put on a top show and we are happy to have achieved it, Te Reanga Morehu o Ratana Trust chairman Kamaka Manuel says.

He was speaking of the Te Kahui Maunga Aotea Kapa Haka Regionals held at Ratana Pā on Saturday. Māori Wardens counted 3400 people coming to the village near Whanganui and the Ratana kapa haka group came top in the region for the sixth consecutive time.

Second was Whanganui group Te Matapihi and third was Taranaki's Ngā Purapura o Te Tai Hauāuru. All three will compete at the Te Matatini national kapa haka competition in Wellington next February.

The nine groups that took the stage included three groups of older performers, and Tūtū Kaa'ika, Taranaki Whānui and Aotea Ūtanganui.

The Te Reanga Morehu o Ratana group was established in 1997 and Te Taepa Kameta is one of its main tutors. He said the group was continually polishing its performance and aimed to improve and to share the Ratana faith.

Members would like to be among the top 10 at next year's national competition.

The groups that competed acknowledged their Ratana hosts, which pleased Mr Manuel. "It was really pleasing and warm to the heart to hear each of their compositions that had messages and connections to the philosophy of Ratana, and what the healer did and what he stood for," he said.

It was also good to hear the groups felt special to stand on the outdoor stage with the Ratana temple as a backdrop. Judges also commented on the wonderful view.

They were a team of 22, chosen by the Aotea committee and headed by Rawiri Tinirau.

Mr Manuel's aim was to put on a show in a similar style to the biennial national competition. It could take place in the Aotea region (Whanganui and Taranaki) in 2023, bringing many economic and social benefits.

It cost about $80,000 to set up and run the venue, and 120 voluteers helped. Funding was provided by the Te Reanga Morehu o Ratana trust, the Aotea committee, Rangitikei District Council, Te Puni Kokiri, Silks Audit, Te Mana o Te Awa and Creative Communities.