Te Arawa kapa haka competitors, fans and organisers are still celebrating after a successful weekend of fierce competition, incredible performance and a whole lot of fun on the Te Arawa Kapa Haka Regional Festival stage.
Previous winners Te Matarae I Orehu once again took out the two-day competition, being named the overall winner at the prizegiving ceremony on Saturday night.
The group will be joined by Te Pikikotuku o Ngati Rongomai, Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao, Ngati Rangiwewehi, Ngati Whakaue and Te Hikuwai in representing Te Arawa at Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival 2019 in Wellington.
Te Arawa Kapa Haka Charitable Trust chairman Trevor Maxwell said the festival was wonderful, "very successful".
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"This was one of the highest standards we've seen here in Te Arawa and we are one of the strongest regions in the country.
"Six have qualified for Te Matatini, but there were at least 10 good enough to grace that national stage."
Tickets to the event were sold out with 4000 people turning up to watch their favourite kapa haka groups.
The Rotorua Energy Events Centre was packed to the brim with excited fans cheering on the 21 groups as they were put through their paces on the stage.
Maxwell said the six teams would be worthy representatives of Te Arawa.
"When I announced Ngati Whakaue had qualified and were going to nationals for the first time in 35 years, the cheering went on for quite some time.
"There was a huge round of applause and of support, I'm sure they'll still be celebrating."
Kapa haka is the most prestigious art form within Maoridom as it encapsulates whakapapa, hitori and pakiwaitara (genealogy, history and storytelling).
The festival showcases traditional and contemporary kapa haka that groups from across Te Arawa have honed to near perfection after six to nine months of rehearsals.
"We were completely sold out, there was barely an empty seat in the house," Maxwell said.
"As a committee we never really advertise, it just comes through the kumara vine, people want to see what these performers can bring to the stage.
"And the standard is only getting higher over time, it's beautiful to watch and to participate in."
Aggregate awards
Whakaeke (Ruihana Trophy)
1. Te Pikikotuku o Ngati Rongomai, Te Matarae I Orehu
2. Te Hikuwai, Ngati Whakaue
Moteatea (Tenga Rangitauira Trophy)
1. Te Pikikotuku o Ngati Rongomai
2. Ngati Whakaue, Ngati Rangiwewehi
Waiataaa ringa (Kahu Morrison Memorial Trophy)
1. Te Hikuwai, Tuhourangi/ Ngati Wahiao, Ngati Rangiwewehi
Poi (Kato Flavell Memorial Trophy, Makereti Papakura Trophy)
1. Tuhourangi/ Ngati Wahiao
2. Te Matarae I Orehu
3. Te Hikuwai, Te Pikikotuku o Ngati Rongomai
Haka (Ngawhare Te Rangipuawhe Maika Trophy)
1. Te Matarae I Orehu, Ngati Rangiwewehi
3. Ngati Tarawhai
Whakamutunga – Whakawatea (TK Enterprises Trophy)
1. Te Hikuwai, Te Matarae I Orehu
3. Tuhourangi/ Ngati Wahiao
Te Reo (Rawiri Rangitauira Memorial Trophy)
1.Te Pikikotuku o Ngāti Rongomai, Te Matarae I Orehu, Ngati Tarawhai
Aggregate placegetters qualifying for Te Matatini 2019
1. Te Matarae I Orehu
2. Te Pikikotuku o Ngāti Rongomai
3. Tuhourangi/ Ngati Wahiao
4. Ngati Rangiwewehi
5. Ngati Whakaue
6. Te Hikuwai