Te Matarae takes top title at Te Arawa kapa haka regionals

Te Matarae i Orehu was named the top group at this year's Te Arawa kapa haka regional competition. Photo/Andrew Warner

Te Matarae i Orehu has been chosen the overall winner of the Te Arawa kapa haka regional competition.

After two days of performances by 21 roopu (groups) at the Rotorua Energy Event Centre on Friday and Saturday the members said they were "humbled and honoured" to have been named the top team.

Kaitataki wahine (female leader) for Te Matarae i Orehu Miriama Morrison-Hare said overall the group was relaxed going into the competition.

"It's probably the most relaxed we've ever been. There was a good wairua (spirit) amongst the group and everyone connected really well with each other," she said.

"What made it even more special was that it was the 20th anniversary of Te Matarae and we were acknowledging all the past performers, the ones who have passed on in the group so it was a really special campaign."

Ms Morrison-Hare said the group's main aim was to do the best it could.

"We didn't think we had the edge. All we can do is the very best and I thought we did our absolute best. Our mindframe going into the competition was come third last or whatever, as long as we did our best we would be happy."

The group came first or first equal in many of the prizegiving categories which included whakaeke (entry) along with Kataore, waiata-a-ringa (action song) with Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao and the haka and whakamutunga (exit).

"We were just really overwhelmed to be placed first only because it's really hard to win in your own region," Ms Morrison-Hare said. "We're just humbled and honoured to win."

Te Matarae i Orehu will take a short break before preparing for the national competition alongside five other Te Arawa kapa haka groups at the national competition, Te Matatini, in Christchurch next year.

Among the many performers taking the stage was Hollywood actor Cliff Curtis performing with whanau members for newly formed group Te Pikikotuku o Rongomai. He was not doing media interviews during the event.

Deputy chairman of the Te Arawa competition's organising committee Trevor Maxwell said organisers were "absolutely rapt" at the weekend's success.

"It was a beautiful exhibition of our performing arts filled with the exceptionally high standard from the 21 teams that took part," he said.

"It shows the calibre of this highly competitive event that we have six very strong teams to represent our region at Te Matatini."

More photos, page 12