Te Arawa group claim supreme kapa haka title

Te Arawa kapa haka group Te Mataarae i o Rehu are the supreme champions of Te Matatini o Te Ra 2011.
The group showed they were clearly the judges' favourite at the international kapa haka festival, winning the majority of the awards yesterday in Gisborne, including best male and female leaders.
They also claimed the kakahu, original poi composition, te reo (language), moteatea (chant), poi and haka categories.
Opening with a waiata, Te Mataarae sang in memory of Te Arawa kapa haka legend Taini Morrison, who died in 2009. Her daughter, kaitataki wahine (female leader) Miriama Morrison-Hare, held a photo of her mother as she sang.
She carried on the family tradition by winning best female leader.
Her mother had won the title twice.
"It was beautiful having the son and daughter in the group performing with us," kaitataki tane (male leader) Wetini Mitai told Maori Television.
Mr Mitai was asked if the group, known for their physical fitness, all had gym memberships.
"It's a physical type of programme, you have to be fit to carry it out. If we were in battle the old people would be fighting to keep fit," he said.
"We're telling a story and returning to the ways of our old people."
Actor Temuera Morrison said the performance was a great tribute to his sister.
"I had a shiver of emotion watching Mataarae," he told Maori Television.
"I could see her [Taini] there, I had a tear in my eye and felt her spirit onstage."
Ngati Rangiwewehi of Te Arawa also made it to the finals.
Male leader Daniel Vaka said they were "blown away" to be chosen in the final nine.
"We just went out there to perform for our people and anything else that happened was a bonus.
"During the finals, I just asked our group again to give it all they got and again think about our people, both here and those back home," Mr Vaka said.
Rotorua Deputy Mayor Trevor Maxwell said the win for Te Mataarae was a fantastic result.
"It's great result for Te Arawa, they deserve it. It was wonderful to watch Mataarae, they have a style of their own."
He said all five groups from Rotorua did their iwi proud.
"I'm very pleased two made it through to the finals."
Four out of the five Te Arawa groups performed in the same pool on Saturday which included Nga Uri o Te Whanoa and Tuhourangi-Ngati-Wahiao. Manaia was the first Rotorua team to take the stage on Friday.
"I caught all the Te Arawa groups and it great to see everybody [in Gisborne] supporting them. Is there any Maori left in Rotorua?" he asked.
"Tuhourangi gave a great, strong performance, Te Whanoa had many experienced performers and many that will become stronger after this competition.
"Ngati Rangiwewehi sang beautifully and when I watched Manaia I really thought we had a team in the final," Mr Maxwell said.
Te Matatini had 42 groups throughout New Zealand and Australia perform during the competition. The next festival will be held in Rotorua in 2013.
See today's The Daily Post for more pictures from Te Matatini