Big first prize in kapa haka comp

Te Wananga o Aotearoa Kapa Haka Super 12s will be held at The Cloud in Auckland.

Teams from all over New Zealand are being encouraged to enter Te Wananga o Aotearoa Kapa Haka Super 12s where a prize pool of $17,000 is up for grabs.

This highly anticipated event will once again dominate the stage at The Cloud, Queens Wharf in Auckland on Saturday July 9.

This year the competition, which celebrates excellence and innovation in the traditional Maori performing art of kapa haka, is open to all groups and, for the first time, secondary schools are invited to take on and compete alongside adult teams.

The competition gives teams of 12 performers 12 minutes to impress the judges to win the $12,000 first prize.

Festival director Anahera Higgins said Auckland Council is partnering with Te Wananga o Aotearoa.

With a total prize pool of $17,000, the competition has been opened up to attract a diverse range of adult and youth groups who reflect the kapa haka talent from around New Zealand.

Auckland Council's Arts Committee chairman Alf Filipaina said the Te Wananga o

Aotearoa Kapa Haka Super 12s was always one of the premier events and main highlights of Matariki Festival.

"It is a dynamic competition that showcases the traditional art of kapa haka and Maori culture in a fresh, modern and innovative way. I can't wait to see what the teams bring to the table this year," he said.

Wananga head of relationships Shanan Halbert said partnering with Auckland Council for Super 12s was an exciting relationship that would continue to grow as the festival did.

"As New Zealand's largest Maori education provider, it is a natural fit to partner with Auckland Council for Matariki 16. As major organisations, we have a common goal to educate and inspire Aucklanders about the story of Matariki."

The Auckland Council is calling for entries now and is especially keen to attract teams from outside the Auckland region. Entries are open to adults and all secondary schools and close on Friday. Entry is free.