Te Matatini's powhiri today. PHOTO/HAWKES BAY TODAY
Te Matatini's powhiri today. PHOTO/HAWKES BAY TODAY
Te Arawa has set the mood by performing a rousing haka at a powhiri at Te Matatini today, officially marking the beginning of the prestigious competition.
Thousands of kapa haka performers, whanau and supporters have converged on Hawke's Bay for Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival, the biennial competition thatcrowns the top kapa haka group.
Te Arawa has five teams in the competition.
Te Matatini life member Trevor Maxwell from Rotorua, who spent more than 30 years taking part in the festival, told the Rotorua Daily Post today's powhiri was spectacular, especially a combined haka by Te Arawa.
Ngati Kahungunu perform a welcome. PHOTO/HAWKES BAY TODAY
He said the three-hour powhiri at McLean Park in Napier saw the record 47 teams welcomed to the competition by host iwi Ngati Kahungunu.
Mr Maxwell said Sir Toby Curtis spoke on behalf of Te Arawa groups and acknowledged the passing of the late Mauriora Kingi, who was the longest serving Te Matatini judge.
Mr Kingi died in June 2015, only months after the last Te Matatini he judged in Christchurch.
Sir Toby presented a trophy in honour of Mr Kingi, which would be awarded in the mouteatea category (traditional Maori song).
Mr Maxwell said it was a proud moment to see Te Arawa today.
"The haka that all the men and women did was rousing, strong and powerful. It was led by Eraia Kiel. To see a haka done by 300 to 500 people, wow, it was very impressive. I was sitting next to Minister of Maori Development Te Ururoa Flavell and we both joined in and he was as proud as I was."
One of the performers taking part, Pare Richards, described the powhiri as "amazing".
"The manaakitanga (hospitality) from the hosts to the groups has been wonderful," Mrs Richards said.
Thousands of cultural performers are welcomed today. PHOTO/HAWKES BAY TODAY
Mrs Richards, whose group Te Pikikotuku o Rongomai is taking part in its second nationals, said the Hawkes Bay weather was outstanding.
Led by King Tuheita, the manuhiri (visitors) advanced from the embankment and coastal end across the cricket pitch area, transformed for the occasion into a paepae.
Ngati Rangiwewehi performer Mercia Dawn-Yates said the powhiri was powerful having all of Ngati Kahungunu in force.
"It was emotionally intense moving between two lines of wahine kaikaranga (female call) as we made our way through carrying our kawe mate o Te Arawa, the likes of Mauriora Kingi, Mita Hikairo Mohi, Napi Waaka and our one of kind Jojo Waaka."
It is only the second time Ngati Kahungunu has hosted the festival, the first being in 1983.
Competition officially starts tomorrow, with three Te Arawa groups performing throughout the day.
