Te Arawa groups do iwi proud at Matatini

Te Arawa's final two groups have performed and the competition is wide open to see who will make the final nine for tomorrow's final.

Nga Potiki a Hinehopu, the iwi's newest group, stood proud and did their rohe (area) proud. Their name may point to the group being the youngest but there was nothing childish about this group's performance.

Their male leader Raimona Peni was Ironman like. His well chiselled body epitomised what kapa haka is all about health, strength and harmony.

Kaitataki wahine (female leader) Mariana Te Rangi portrays everything beautiful about Te Arawa women, determination, strength, passionate and innovative.

To back up Hinehopu, Nga Uri o Te Whanoa with their wealth of experience and class showed the depth this iwi has when it comes to kapa haka.

Whanoa showed why it is impossible to count the stars at night - talent is infinite when it comes to this group. Their stage leaders Inia and Kahurangi Maxwell showed that talent may be rear but it is passed down from generation to generation.

Watching this pair, one could easily imagine their late mother Dina and their dad, Deputy Mayor Trevor Maxwell, in their heyday.

Kahurangi's solo not only brought a tear to her father's eyes but to many in the crowd.

Now the six Te Arawa groups will wait until 6.05pm for the judge's marks to be tallied and the top nine to be announced.