A team of 31 kaiwhiriwhiri (judges) made up of 15 wahine (women) and 16 tane (men) representing the 13 rohe (areas) of Te Matatini are tasked with judging the 47 kapa haka groups over the four-day festival. The following are judges descended from Te Arawa.
Deana Rika
Judging Disciplines - Whakawatea
and Manukura Wahine
Deana Rika has competed at both a regional and national level, as a member of the Ngati Rangiwewehi kapa haka group.
She has been performing since 1989 and still performs with them today.
She was the female leader of the group 2010-2015, and tutored with her brother in 2010.
This has given her years of experience in kapa haka performance, leadership and judging.
Huia Julie Hahunga
Judging Disciplines - Poi and Kakahu
Huia Julie Hahunga was a foundation member and performer for Ngati Rangiwewehi Kapa Haka.
She began judging kapa haka in 1999 and has judged from primary school through to Te Matatini level.
Having travelled extensively as a Maori cultural ambassador, she is today involved in the grassroots level with Ngati Rangiwewehi.
She also teaches te reo at Te Kohanga Reo National Trust.
Ngamoni Huata
Judging Disciplines - Poi and Manukura Wahine
Ngamoni loves all aspects of kapa haka, performance, tutoring and judging.
Her particular passion is for poi.
Author of the book The Rhythm and Life of Poi she is often invited to present at universities and wananga for the Maori Performing Arts Standards.
In 2013 she was awarded the Te Arawa Matariki Distinguishing award and the Iconic Maori Music Award.
Tinamaree Kaipara
Judging Disciplines - Whakawatea and Manukara Wahine
Tinamaree Kaipara has been trained by Kui Te Atamira Winitana in kapa haka from 1987.
She is the co-founder of Ahorangi Kura Wananga and also Ahorangi Pepikura.
Tareikura was also founded by her as an academy to specialise in the Maori female arts.
Chris Winitana
Judging Disciplines - Moteatea and Manukura Tane and Titonga Hou Moteatea
Taught by his elders traditional knowledge including, oratory, genealogy, weaponry, performing arts, composition, storytelling and the transmission of knowledge, Chris Winitana has been involved in performing arts for almost 30 years.
His training began as a child in the 1960s and he now sits alongside his elders, passionate about the influence of Maori culture and language.
Joe Harawira
Judging Disciplines - Haka and Manukura Tane
This will be Joe Harawira's fifth year judging at Te Matitini, although he has been judging kapa haka since 1976.
He is a passionate teacher and performer and was the Manukura Tane of Te Whare Wananga kapa haka from 1978 to 2008.
He is travelled extensively across the world sharing the Maori story, and was involved in the repatriation of Toi Moko to Aotearoa.
Tuhoe Huata
Judging Disciplines - Whakaeke and Waiata Tira
Tuhoe Huata has tutored, composed and performed in national kapa haka for 27 years.
He has travelled the world promoting Maori performing and visual arts, and is active in tutoring kapa haka within intermediate and secondary school sectors.
Honoured to have been considered as a judge for this year's Te Matatini, he acknowledges those who have nurtured him and looks forward to the role.
Performance disciplines
Haka - Traditional war dance
Kakahu - The style of dress
Manukura Wahine - Female lead
Manukura Tane - Male lead
Moteatea - A traditional chant or mournful song
Poi - Mostly done by women, this item is known for its gracefulness and poise
Te Kairangi o Te Mita o Te Reo - Maori language excellence
Te Kairangi o Te Reo a-Tuhi ¬ Best composition in the Maori language
Titonga Hou - Original composition
Waiata a-Ringa - The action song, where performers use their hands and body to combine actions with the words of the song
Waiata Tira - (optional) this is a choral used to warm up the group or to settle nerves.
Whakaeke - The entrance song
Whakawatea - The exit song
Source: www.tematatini.co.nz
Te Arawa's programme
Thursday
Ngati Rangiwewehi: 11.21am-11.51am
Te Pikikotuku o Ngati Rongomai: 1.12pm-1.42pm
Te Matarae I Orehu: 6.22-6.52pm
Friday
Te Hikuwai: 2.27pm-2.57pm
Saturday
Tuhourangi: Ngati Wahiao - 11.21am-11.51am
Sunday
Top nine groups perform: 8.40am-2.57pm
Prizegiving: 3.20pm
