Hundreds of Maori arts performers have gathered in Wairoa for the Ngati Kahungunu regional kapa haka competitions which will today decide who represents the area at Te Matatini 2019 in Wellington.
The competitions, with 13 parties each of more than 40 people, take place at rugby ground Lambton Square, almost a world removed from Westpac Stadium where the national showdown will take place on February 20-24 next year.
Among the groups performing today will be Hastings and Central Hawke's Bay-based Tamatea Arikinui, which in October marks its 40th anniversary, and Te Rerenga Kotuku, which has represented the area in six consecutive Te Matatini festivals yet will be performing in competition in front of its home Wairoa crowd for the first time in the past decade.
Gates open at 7.30am and first up an hour later will be Te Poi o Heretaunga, including Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana and wife Mere, a group Ngahiwi Tomoana says is the only marae-based group.
"The others, they're all professionals!"