Maori culture and language will be celebrated at this weekend's Te Arawa Regional Kapa Haka competition.
The two-day event at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre, which starts today, will feature 20 groups from around the region competing for a spot in the national competition Te Matatini 2015.
Hundreds of people are expected to watch the groups perform a variety of traditional Maori song and dance, including haka and poi.
Te Arawa Kapa Charitable Trust chairman Anaru Grant said people would travel from across the country to attend the prestigious event.
Tickets have already sold out for tomorrow's performances.