Rotorua and Eastern Bay take out Te Matatini

Rotorua and the Eastern Bay made a clean sweep at the Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival, taking out first place and second places at the prize giving this afternoon at North Hagley Park in Christchurch.

Eastern Bay's Te-Whanau-a-Apanui took out the top prize at the prestigious event, and Te Arawa's Te Matarae i Orehu tied for second place with Opotiki Mai Tawhiti.

More than 1800 performers, making up 45 performing teams, performed at the event at North Hagley Park, which began on Wednesday and finished yesterday.

Waiariki MP and Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell was at the event, and handed out awards at the prizegiving.

He was proud of the team's placings.

"It's pretty special, Te Arawa always is very strong, and the other groups Te-Whanau-a-Apanui and Opotiki Mai Tawhiti are strong, there are no surprises really. They dominated the early rounds.

"We should be proud of all of the groups that performed, and all of the work gone into the event."

The massive biennial competition was expected to attract up to 50,000 people.

The biennial festival began in 1972 and is the nation's largest Maori performing arts event.

Te Matatini chairman Selwyn Parata described the festival as a rare opportunity for Te Waipounamu (the South Island) and encouraged all cultures, backgrounds and ages to join in and celebrate an extraordinary staging of kapa haka and Maori culture.

Organised and produced by Te Matatini management committee, the event was hosted by Waitaha Cultural Council with support from Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu and Christchurch City Council.