Ngati Whakaue Pakeke perform at Te Arawa's kapa haka regionals at the Energy Events Centre this afternoon. Photo/Stephen Parker
Ngati Whakaue Pakeke perform at Te Arawa's kapa haka regionals at the Energy Events Centre this afternoon. Photo/Stephen Parker
Te Arawa Kapa Haka Whakataetae a-Rohe is underway with the first groups grabbing the crowd's attention and setting the tone for the rest of the event.
The rest of the groups will come out swinging tomorrow to do battle for places at Te Matatini, the national kapa haka championships.
Withpoi already twirling through the air, voices fiercely filling the hall and haka making its presence well known, 18 groups will vie for the honour of performing at Te Matatini 2017 in Hastings.
This year's Te Arawa competition is in honour of the memory of the late Mauriora Kingi who was the Rotorua Lakes Council kaupapa Maori director and respected kaumatua.
Down there this afternoon was Temuera Morrison who, in his younger days, used to lead Ngati Rangiwewehi. They are performing tomorrow.
"I just got back from Gisborne and I love my kapa haka, I have been doing kapa haka all my life. I used to go to the national competitions and compete."
Ngati Whakaue Pakeke perform at Te Arawa's kapa haka regionals at the Energy Events Centre this afternoon. Photo/Stephen Parker
He said he was thinking of joining the older group, Ngati Pakeke Rangiwewehi, this afternoon.
"I have a long history with that group... for me, you know when people say they come home? This is it for me."
He said the main groups who will be on tomorrow had been training hard and given up almost every weekend since December in order to be good enough to get through to the nationals.
"This is like the Super 12 of rugby, these are our Olympics," Mr Morrison said.
- SATURDAY 9am: Te Arawa Tautoko (Pakeke Kapa) 9.40am: Nga Uri o Te Whanoa 10.20am: Te Hikuwai 11am: Judges' break 11.30am: Tuhourangi Ngati Wahkiao 12.10pm: Kataore 12.50pm: Ngati Whakaue 1.30pm: Te Kai o Te ra Nui 2.30pm: Te Matarae i o rehu 3.10pm Ngati Rangiwewehi 3.50pm: Ngati Tarawhai 4.30pm: Te Piki Kotuku o Rongomai 6.30pm: PRIZEGIVING
