Rotorua kapa haka group wins social media campaign

Toka Tu with Toyota's Shaine Pask. Photo/Supplied

Rotorua kapa haka hip hop fusion group Toka Tu have been announced winners of Toyota's #YOUARECHR social media campaign.

The competition allowed contestants to use the new Toyota C-HR, along with a film crew, for the day to show New Zealand who they are and to ultimately win the car.

Toka Tu used the car as their waka to take the audience on a journey back in time to tell the story of how geothermal activity was created in New Zealand.

Performing in front of one of New Zealand's most unique back drops, the Wairakei Terraces, they traced the steps of geothermal activity as seen through the lens of their Maori culture.

Through haka and dance they brought the past into the future with their unique cultural fusion.

Toyota New Zealand selected nine innovative, original, or interesting contestants from over 100 entries it received through its Facebook page.

The nine contestants ranged from a Gelato entrepreneur making a C-HR inspired flavour, to edible insect connoisseurs, to a street artist painting four walls in one day.

Toyota New Zealand's general manager of marketing, Andrew Davis, said Toka Tu's standout entry showed the calibre and uniqueness of the individuals who participated in the competition.

"Their fusion of Maori culture with hip hop was unique and really represented New Zealand the best."

The campaign winner was decided by the amount of votes they received through Toyota's Facebook page during the campaign period.