Te Matatini: Maniapoto-Love heading from her small hometown to the big stage at Eden Park

Puna Whakaata Maniapoto-Love.

Puna Whakaata Maniapoto-Love is excited to celebrate Māori culture and connect with whānau when she takes to the stage in the world’s biggest kapa haka competition.

The University of Auckland student will join thousands tomorrow as they take to the stage for the world’s biggest kapa haka competition.

“Ko Puna Whakaata Maniapoto-Love tōku ingoa. I te taha o tōku papa, he uri ahau nō te kaiekee tohorā Paikea-Ariki, ko Whāngara te wā kainga, waihoki, he pānga ōku ki te awa o Whanganui, ko Kaiwhaiki te wā kainga.

“I te taha o tōku māma, he uri ahau nō Te Arawa waka. Ko Te Rangiita me Rotorua ngā wā kainga. I tipu ake ahau ki roto o Whāngara mai tawhiti i waenganui i tōku whānau o Ngāti Konohi mai tōku pepitanga.”

Maniapoto-Love, who hails from Te Rangiita and Rotorua, is studying towards a conjoint Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts. Following her studies, the talented kapa haka performer aspires to specialise in te taiao and whenua Māori, and hopes to use her mātauranga to work with iwi and provide legal support.

“Firstly, I want to travel and explore the world. Following that, I would love to work in a Māori firm or with Māori consultants to help our people.”

Puna Whakaata Maniapoto-Love at the University of Auckland.

Maniapoto-Love will perform for the first time at the much-anticipated national kapa haka festival, Te Matatini, with her roopu [group] Whāngara mai Tāwhiti.

“I’ve been a part of Whāngara mai Tāwhiti since I was pretty much a baby, but I’ve been doing kapa haka since I was five,” Puna Whakaata says.

She says Te Matatini is special in that it enables all involved to learn a lot and connect to whānau.

“We get to learn kōrero about our iwi and hapū, which is very important to me. The learning aspect of this Te Matatini campaign makes it so special.

“Te Matatini, to me, is more than being able to perform and compete on stage. It’s important because I can do what I love with my whānau. We are fortunate in our roopu to sing waiata about people who are significant to us.

“I’m keen to watch all the teams - heaps of my friends are performing for different roopu, which is very exciting.”

Puna Whakaata says Te Matatini is a space to hear stories of other iwi, hapū, whānau or rohe, and that kapa haka is a way to acknowledge tīpuna and stay connected to them.

“Te Matatini is the world’s biggest kapa haka competition, with kapa from all over the country. It is a one-of-a-kind competition that keeps us connected to our kāinga. It keeps our culture alive and helps it to thrive.”

Te Rina Triponel is a Māori and Pacific journalist and the Kaitohutohu Pāpāho Māori for Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. She is of Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Porou and Te Ātiawa descent. Her heritage also includes Ha’apiti Mo’orea (Tahiti).