Performers jet away for hot competition

Kahurangi Maxwell. Photo / File

Kapa haka group Nga Uri o te Whanoa will be swapping the chilly Rotorua weather for sunny Hawaii.

About 24 members of the roopu [group] were due to fly out today to Oahu to take part in the invitational Te Manahua Maori Song and Dance competition.

Female leader Kahurangi Maxwell said the group would be representing New Zealand in kapa haka but would also be helping celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Polynesian Cultural Centre, where the competition will be held.

"It is an honour for us to go. It gives us an opportunity to connect with different cultures as well as connect with other Maori kapa haka groups such as Ngati Ranana from London and as well as a group from Salt Lake City," Miss Maxwell said.

"We've had to pay to get there so we've done a lot of fundraising - selling hangi, raffles and doing a few gigs here and there, and performers have had to contribute to the trip as well. But it will be great just to be able to go with some of our members who haven't travelled overseas before."

The event is organised by the Polynesian Cultural Centre's Aotearoa Village manager and Maori cultural specialist, Seamus Fitzgerald, who is originally from Taupo.

Miss Maxwell said even though it was a competition, the group would be performing more as an entertainment group.

Nga Uri o te Whanoa had previously been to Hawaii as part of the Merrie Monarch Festival in 2009. The non-profit event honoured the legacy left by King David Kalakaua, who inspired Hawaiian traditions, native language and the arts.

"They love kapa haka over there because compared to Polynesian/Hawaiian culture it's so fierce. So they love the energy and passion we show," Miss Maxwell said. "I'm looking forward to the sun and we've had a break since Te Matatini so we're looking forward to getting back and performing together."