Maori culture on European soil

Teuhi Ratapu (front) with fellow Whakaari Rotorua Cultural Group members (left to right) Erueti Haimona, Tuhi Grapl and Frank Grapl. Photo / Ben Fraser

A Rotorua kapa haka group with a passion for sharing the Maori culture is heading to Europe to perform in front of more than 20,000 people.

Whakaari Rotorua Cultural Group will be heading to Europe today for three months to perform at European folklore festivals.

Every year the organisers form a group of between five and 12 people to take part in the festivals.

Frank Grapl (centre) with fellow Whakaari Rotorua members performing during last year's trip.

Director Frank Grapl Jnr is continuing the legacy of his father who started taking kapa haka groups to Europe in 1978.

He said he loved taking people to Europe, as many had never been before.

"It is very much a reciprocal relationship. Not only do we get to share our Maori culture with the rest of the world, but we also get to experience their cultures.

"We go to places like Russia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Austria which are not typical tourist destinations. Many of these places have never been exposed to the Maori culture and being the only Maori or Polynesian group to perform at the festivals, we have the unique opportunity to highlight all aspects of Maoridom," Mr Grapl said.

"We put on a whole show, not just a performance. When we are in front of a more intimate crowd we get them on stage and teach them songs. We give gifts to the children and delve deep into what it means to be Maori."

Mr Grapl said the other motive of the annual trip was to promote the city.

"We heavily promote Rotorua to many government and council officials overseas and in the past have helped to bring former Czech presidents Alexander Dubcek and Vaclav Havel to New Zealand and also Rotorua.

"We are received by the local city mayors and in some cases when we are in their capital we meet with their prime ministers or presidents.

"This is a rare opportunity not afforded to many cultural groups so we use it as a chance to express how great Rotorua is.

"Our group name Whakaari Rotorua means "Exhibit Rotorua" so it is clear we love our city.

"The trip is great in so many ways but at the end of the day, it's about raising awareness of our country, city, and culture."