26 judges appointed for festival

The judges have been announced for Te Matatini, at which Nga Uri o Te Whanoa (above) will compete as one of six Te Arawa groups. Photo / File

The judges have been named for Te Matatini Festival.

Twenty-six official judges were appointed by the National Te Matatini Committee for the biennial event to be held at Hagley Park, Christchurch, in March 2015.

Six Te Arawa groups will take part, Te Matarae i Orehu, Nga Uri o Te Whanoa, Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao, Ngati Rangiwewehi, Kataore, Te Pikikotuku o Rongomai.

Te Matatini chairman Selwyn Parata said the judges would adjudicate 45 of the best kapa haka groups in Aotearoa and Australia to determine who will be the "champion of champions".

Fifty-five nominations were received in total from the 13 regions who participated in the preliminary rounds this year.

Mr Parata confirmed that while 26 judges were selected for the festival all nominations were of a high calibre.

The judges for the aggregate sections.
Whakaeke: Haani Huata, Tui Ransfield, Hemi Tai Tin, Pouroto Ngaropo.
Moteatea: Georgina Kerekere, Turuhira Hare, Mauriora Kingi, Ruka Broughton.
Poi: Huia Julie Hahunga, Leanne Morehu, Ngamoni Huata, Te Atarangi Whiu.
Waiata a-ringa: Hema Temara, Kuini Moeahu Reedy, Leon Blake, Puka Moeau.
Haka: Joe Harawira, Maihe Nikora, Mark Kopua, Muriwai Ihakara.
Whakawatea: Pania Papa, Tihi Puanaki, Chris Winitana, Watson Ohia.

In the non- aggregate sections.
Kaitatahi Wahine: Hema Temara, Kuini Moehau Reedy, Tihi Puanaki, Turuhira Hare.
Kaitataki Tane: Hemi Tai Tin, Joe Harawira, Mauriora Kingi, Muriwai Ihakara.
Kakahu: Te Rangi Hemi, Tui Ransfield, Mark Kopua, Tei Nohotima.
Waiata Tira: Leanne Morehu, Te Rangi Hemi, Leon Blake, Watson Ohia.