Celebrating Maori culture

Hatea kapa haka group was one of four Northland roopu (groups) to perform at the National Kapa Haka Festival - Te Matatini. Photo / Peter de Graaf

It was a long journey for four Northland kapa haka groups to get to Te Matatini and, despite not placing, one tutor said it was all worth it.

Hatea, Te Roopu o Muriwhenua, Te Pu Ao and Hokianga travelled more than 1000km to Christchurch's North Hagley Park for the biennial National Kapa Haka Festival last week.

Pehiaweri Marae-based group Hatea have been performing at Te Matatini since 2002, making this year their seventh time competing. Tutor Joby Hopa said the event was about celebrating Maori culture.

"I suppose what's important is the atmosphere. The rise of te reo and being surrounded by culture is awesome."

Mr Hopa said the level of competition this year was high.

At the 2013 Te Matatini, Hatea won Te Taonga a Te Ropu Waiata Maori o Aotearoa for the best choral, this year they lost that title but Mr Hopa said it didn't matter.

"At the end of the day the festival is about culture and performing and in the end prizes are just a bonus."

Although no Northland teams placed, Mr Hopa said all groups performed to a high standard.