Te Matarae I Orehu - Day one of Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival at Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park, renamed Kahungunu Park just for February, in Hastings. 23 February 2017 Hawke's Bay Today
Te Matarae I Orehu - Day one of Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival at Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park, renamed Kahungunu Park just for February, in Hastings. 23 February 2017 Hawke's Bay Today
It will be a nervous wait for four of the five Te Arawa teams who have already performed at Te Matatini with one more team yet to take to the stage.
Day two of the biennial national kapa haka competition was held at Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park in Hastings- renamed Kahungunu Park for the occasion - today with Te Arawa's Te Hikuwai getting their chance on stage at 2.30pm.
Yesterday, three Te Arawa groups performed - Ngati Rangiwewehi, Te Pikikotuku o Ngati Rongomai and Te Matarae I Orehu.
Tomorrow, the last Te Arawa group - Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahiao - will perform at 11.20am then all five teams will have to wait until about 8pm for the announcement of the top nine teams that will perform for the last time in the finals on Sunday.
A record 47 teams from New Zealand and Australia will compete over the three days with the overall winner announced about 4pm Sunday afternoon.
Te Matarae I Orehu - Day one of Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival at Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park, renamed Kahungunu Park just for February, in Hastings. 23 February 2017 Hawke's Bay Today
Te Matarae I Orehu, led by Wetini Mitai-Ngatai and Miri Morrison-Hare, performed last night. Mr Mitai-Ngatai said it was an emotional performance with everyone in the group ticking off their goals and milestones on stage.
"Everybody was happy after we came off, we could feel the waves of emotion, making their families and their ancestors proud was first and foremost in their minds.
"Before we went on we had a great karakia from Mataia Keepa that moved everybody to the next level but kept us relaxed at the same time.
"Then when we were onstage we could unleash what we had been training so long to do."
Te Matarae I Orehu - Day one of Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival at Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park, renamed Kahungunu Park just for February, in Hastings. 23 February 2017 Hawke's Bay Today
He said the group were trying not to think about making the finals on Sunday, but were all nervous about the prospect.
"The standard is pretty high this year," he said.
Te Matarae I Orehu - Day one of Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival at Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park, renamed Kahungunu Park just for February, in Hastings. 23 February 2017 Hawke's Bay Today
Te Matarae I Orehu - Day one of Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival at Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park, renamed Kahungunu Park just for February, in Hastings. 23 February 2017 Hawke's Bay Today
Te Matarae I Orehu - Day one of Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival at Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park, renamed Kahungunu Park just for February, in Hastings. 23 February 2017 Hawke's Bay Today
Te Matatini life member Trevor Maxwell, who spent more than 30 years taking part in the festival, said Te Hikuwai's performance was thoroughly enjoyable.
"Very crisp and precise and the female leader stood out with grace and poise.
"From start to finish it was a high level consistent performance, beautifully sung and delivered."
Te Hikuwai. PHOTO/HAWKE'S BAY TODAY
He said he had watched almost all of the performances and the feedback he was getting about Te Arawa teams made him proud.
"There's one more to go [today]and I have no doubt Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahiao will do us proud as well.
Te Hikuwai. PHOTO/HAWKE'S BAY TODAY
"All of our teams look great, they are fit and in good shape and have taken pride in themselves, they are all a credit to the iwi."
Performing Saturday: - Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahiao Sunday - Finals day from 8.40am to 3pm - Top nine teams perform again - Prizegiving at 3.20pm * Watch live on Maori Television
