Kapa haka festival celebrates talents of people with disabilities

Faith Konia and Jason Taplin, leaders of the Wairarapa Kapa Haka group, will be performing at the IDEA Services Central Region Kapa Haka Festival. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Passionate kapa haka performers from through the central North Island will showcase their talent at the first IDEA Services Central Region Kapa Haka Festival, to be held in Rotorua next month.

More than 100 performers from IDEA Services in Rotorua, Eastern Bay of Plenty, Lakeland, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa, Manawatu, Whanganui and Taranaki are rehearsing now for the free, full-day event on April 11 at Rotorua Energy Events Centre.

Lianne Bryers, central regional general manager for IDEA Services – part of IHC – said it was all about participation and celebration.

"We are celebrating the talents of people with disabilities in a way that showcases their cultural prowess."

And the performers don't have to pass an audition.

"It's that passion for things Maori that gets you in the door," she said. "They are practising furiously. It's a weekly event by all accounts."

Bryers said the festival would have its own mauri (life force) carving, which is being completed by Renata Te Wiata, who is of Waikato descent and is the grandson of well-known kaiwhakairo/carver and opera singer Inia Te Wiata. The mauri taonga will pass from group to group throughout the central region.

Each of the seven groups will perform four items, including action songs and poi and haka. Bryers said local schools and rest homes had been sent invitations, along with people from IDEA Services in Hamilton and Tauranga.