Tamararo kapa haka competition: Full schedule, tickets and more

Tamararo 2026 starts this Friday and includes Waihirere, who were winners at the 2024 and 2025 events. Photo / Te Matatini/Tairāwhiti Cultural Development Trust

Aotearoa’s oldest regional kapa haka competition is taking place at Houhoupiko/Showgrounds Park in Gisborne, starting on Friday.

This year marks the 73rd anniversary of the Tamararo festival.

The first took place in 1952 as a fundraising event for the Māori Anglican Church.

Since then, the competition has exploded in popularity across the region.

The 17 competing senior rōpū are vying for a place at the 2027 Te Matatini national kapa haka finals being held at Hopuhopu in the Waikato in February.

Last year’s Tamararo champions and former Matatini overall winners Waihirere take the stage at 2.30pm on Saturday.

They will be joined over the two days by Ngāti Konohi Hau Kaenga; Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti; Toihoukura; Te Whānau Waiora Kapa Haka; Te Kapa o YMP; Te Kapa o Te Ao Marama; Te Kapa Haka o Mangatū Marae; Rongowhakaata Taikura; Te Kura o Mahaki; Hikurangi Ahika; Te Hokowhitu Toa; Ngā Morehu; Tu Te Manawa Maurea; Te Hokowhiti A Tū; Whāngārā Mai Tawhiti and Hikurangi.

Supporters are encouraged to arrive 30 minutes before their kapa haka group performs.

A variety of stalls, including food and clothing, will be set up. Tickets will be available at the gate.

Location

• Houhoupiko, Showgrounds Park.

Pricing

Friday

• Under-5s free.
• Others $5.

Saturday

• Under-5s free.
• Ages 5-17 $5.
• 18+ and kaumātua $15.

Full Schedule

FRIDAY

5.30pm: Karakia whakatūwhera (opening prayer).

6pm: Ngāti Konohi Hau Kaenga.

6.30pm: Te Aitanga A Hauti.

7pm: Toihoukura.

7.30pm: Te Kapa o YMP.

9pm: Whakapi (concluding remarks)

SATURDAY

8.30am: Karakia whakatūwhera (opening prayer).

9am: Te Kapa o Te Ao Marama.

9.30am: Te Kapa Haka o Mangatū Marae.

10am: Rongowhakaata Taikura.

10.30am: Te Kura o Mahaki.

11am: Kaputi (interval).

11.15am: Hikurangi Ahika.

11.45am: Te Hokowhitu Toa.

12.15pm: Ngā Morehu.

12.45pm: Tu Te Manawa Maurea.

1.15pm: Wa Tina (interval).

2pm: Te Hokowhitu A Tū.

2.30pm: Waihirere.

3pm: Whāngārā Mai Tawhiti

3.30pm: Hikurangi.

4pm: Te Whānau Waiora Kapa Haka.

Followed by wā tuku taonga/karakia whakakapi (awards/thanks-giving).