Tuhoe festival attracts more than 13,000 people in Rotorua

Te Hui Ahurei a Tuhoe has come back to its beginnings in Rotorua, attracted 13,000 people and at least 85,000 livestream views.

But in two years' time it will be held back in its homeland in Waimana.

The Tuhoe celebration, held at the Rotorua International Stadium over four days at the weekend, saw hundreds of Tuhoe descendants from all over the country and Australia come to Rotorua for friendly rivalry through kapa haka, sport, art, debating and music.

Reina Smith, Oruakorau, left, and Mikayla Apiti, Te Hono a Te Kiore go for the ball. Photo/Ben Fraser

Despite numbers being down on previous festivals, it's been deemed a success.

Governance committee member Pou Temara said while they were thrilled with the Rotorua numbers, previous events had attracted 20,000 to 40,000 people during the four days.

Image 1 of 21: Te Hui Ahurei a Tuhoe - Day one. Te Tira Hou. Photo/Ben Fraser

He said there were bigger crowds at other events because they were held in the Tuhoe homeland.

"The significance of the festival was that it gave Tuhoe living outside of the tribal area a chance to reacquaint themselves with Tuhoe culture.

"The numbers are down because we are outside of our tribal area. The people who have come to watch have driven an hour and a half to watch the festival but not everyone from the homeland will come to Rotorua."

But he said unlike other festivals, this one made money as they had to control certain things like ticketing and food.

"It's one of the few times the Ahurei has made money."

He said they were particularly thrilled with the online response to their live streams.

"It tells you the number of people interested around the world."

Senior kapa haka team Ruatoki. Photo/Ben Fraser

The governance committee voted this morning and decided the next Ahurei in 2020 would be held in Waimana, but Rotorua won't be ruled out again in the future, Temara said.

"It's said hello to its beginnings and now it's gong back to the hinterland again."

Results

Nga Toa Tuatahi o Te Hui Ahurei a Tuhoe 2018
1= Ohinemataroa and Ruatahuna

Kapa haka results
E Taonga a Te Rangianiwaniwa Raua Ko Wena Rangihau – non-aggregate winners:
1. Ohinemataroa
2. Ruatoki
3. Ngati Haka-Patuheuheu
Waiata Tira:
1. Ohinemataroa
2= Mataatua ki Rotorua and Ruatahuna
Conductor, Waiata Tira:
1. Ohinemataroa
2. Ruatoki
3. Ruatahuna
Pukana:
1. Ohinemataroa
2= Tawera & Ruatahuna
Titonga Motuhake: Poi
1. Oruakorau
2. Ohinemataroa
3= Ruatoki & Taiarahia
Titonga Motuhake: Waiata a Ringa
1. Ngati Haka-Patuheuheu
2. Ohinemataroa
3. Ruatoki
Whaikorero:
1= Mataatua ki Rotorua & Tawera
2. Ohinemataroa
Te Peruperu:
1. Ohinemataroa
2. Ruatahuna
3= Tuhoe ki Kawerau & Te Tira Hou
Wero:
1. Ohinemataroa
2. Te Tira Hou
3. Tuhoe ki Kawerau
Karanga:
1= Ruatahuna & Ohinemataroa
2. Ngati Haka-Patuheuheu
Rau Rakau:
1. Ruatahuna
2. Tuhoe ki Kawerau
3. Ruatoki
Kaitataki Tane:
1. Ohinemataroa
2= Mataatua ki Rotorua & Tawera
Kaitataki Wahine:
1. Ruatahuna
2. Tawera
3. Ruatoki
Kakahu:
1. Tawera & Ruatahuna
2= Ngati Haka-Patuheuheu & Ruatoki
Te Taonga a Te Iki Pouwhare - Te Toa o Nga Toa:
1= Ohinemataroa & Ruatahuna
2. Mataatua ki Rotorua
3. Te Hono a Te Kiore
Te Toa o Te Murakareke - Aggregate Winners:
1. Ruatoki
2. Tawera
3. Ohinemataroa
Whakaeke:
1. Tawera
2. Ohinemataroa
3= Ruatoki & Ruatahuna
Waiata Tahito:
1. Ruatahuna
2. Ruatoki
3. Ohinemataroa
Poi:
1. Ruatahuna
2. Ruatoki
3. Ngati Haka-Patuheuheu
Waiata A Ringa:
1= Ruatoki, Ruatahuna, Ohinemataroa & Tuhoe ki Poneke
Haka:
1. Ohinemataroa
2. Mataatua ki Rotorua
3. Tawera
Whakawatea:
1. Tawera
2= Ruatoki & Mataatua ki Rotorua
Nga Mahi Toi:
Raranga Kete
1. Yvonne Howden – Ngati Haka-Patuheuheu
2. Pareraukura Hohua – Tuhoe ki Kawerau
Whatu-Taniko:
1. Karen Morunga – Ohinemataroa
2. Mereana Leituvae – Oruakorau
3. Halyma Soloman – Mataatua ki Rotorua
Whakairo:
1. Haruru Biddle – Tuhoe ki Kawerau
2= Boydie Biddle – Tawera & Shane Te Poono – Tuhoe ki Kawerau
Toi Ataata (Contemporary Art):
1. Tania Leef – Tuhoe ki Kawerau
2. Iritana Te Moana – Tawera
3. Tyrone Tikao – Ruatoki
Battle of the Bands:
1. Ohinemataroa
2. Ruatahuna
3. Mataatua ki Rotorua
Wahine Ihorei - Best Female Performer:
1. Ruatahuna
2. Tawera
3. Tuhoe ki Kawerau
Tane Ihorei - Best Male Performer:
1. Maro Morehu – Ohinemataroa
2. Penetito Moses - Ruatoki
3. Maungapohatu Borell – Ruatahuna
Te Moko Niwhaniwha:
1. Ohinemataroa
2. Tawera
3. Mataatua ki Rotorua
Titonga Motuhake - Waiata Tira:
1. Ruatahuna
2. Tawera
3. Ngati Haka-Patuheuheu