4000 kapa haka fans expected at Te Arawa Kapa Haka Regional Festival in Rotorua

Ngati Rangiwewehi in action at the 2016 Te Arawa kapa haka regional competition.

Months of practising, thousands of poi spins and a fair bit of blood, sweat and tears will culminate on stage at the Te Arawa Kapa Haka Regional Festival.

The festival showcases traditional and contemporary kapa haka that groups from across Te Arawa have honed to near perfection after six to nine months of solid rehearsals.

Today and tomorrow 21 groups will compete at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre for one of six places to represent Te Arawa at Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival 2019 in Wellington.

Kapa haka is the most prestigious art form within Maoridom as it encapsulates whakapapa, hitori and pakiwaitara (geneology, history and storytelling).

Te Arawa Kapa Charitable Trust chairman Trevor Maxwell was excited for what would be a "highly competitive" weekend.

"Some groups began rehearsing six months out. It's a huge sacrifice, but it's one that the performers love."

He said this year a lot of the performers were the youngsters that used to hang around at practices.

"Now it's our turn to watch them proudly.

"Meanwhile there are some koeke still performing in their 90s, this is just another way of keeping their hands in the community."

He said the weekend was also about honouring Te Rangipuawhe Maika, Jojo Waaka and her father Napi Waaka, Mita Mohi and Pihopa Kingi.

"They are all prominent supporters within Te Arawa kapa haka that we have lost since the last regionals two years ago."

Kingi was a special inspiration for a new Ohinemutu team and gave them his blessing when the group was founded last June.

Inia Maxwell, Trevor's son, founded the group as a way to bring the fun back to kapa haka.

"A lot of the groups have become quite regimented. They are amazing at what they do, but it's less about that feeling of togetherness, of being a whanau."

Inia said the group was a good mix of "keen new people and seasoned performers".

"The experience we've had off stage is really what we were aiming for.

"The kids have all been a big part of the group and now they know our programme, they sing our songs. To see them being so proud is pretty exciting."

His wife, Rongopai, said the group began practising in September.

"The majority had never done kapa haka before, so they started with the basics and will now be in one of the hardest competitions in New Zealand."

Te Arawa Kapa Charitable Trust treasurer Watu Mihinui said to represent Te Arawa rohe at Te Matatini required a regional qualifying round, which had been held biennially since the inception of Te Matatini tupuna in 1971.

"Thanks to the New Zealand Community Trust we can hire the Rotorua Energy Events Centre that provides good quality seating, sound and lighting to accommodate 4000 kapa haka fans."

The New Zealand Community Trust recently awarded Te Arawa Kapa Charitable Trust $25,000.

"We have been most fortunate to receive this level of support," Mihinui said.

"It enables Te Arawa Kapa Charitable Trust to develop and maintain kapa haka in Te Arawa rohe through securing a venue that will provide a high-quality kapa haka festival environment."