A pōwhiri to welcome the 18 kapa haka teams will be held this evening before the teams take the stage at the Maranga Mai e te Iwi, kapa haka regionals in Te Tai Tokerau tomorrow at Whangārei’s McKay Stadium.
To ensure regional representation, the rules dictate that a minimum of 25 per cent of each group’s performers must hail from Northland. The region runs from the Tōpuni River, just beyond Tahurangi (Wellsford), all the way to the Far North.
NEWCOMERS
Te Uri o Manumanu from Maunganui ki Tāmaki is one of the new competitors on stage. Led by Joe Pihema, who previously brought together Ngāti Whātua descendants for the Timutimu Whenua haka team at the Tāmaki Makaurau regionals, Te Uri o Manumanu now represents these uri in the Te Tai Tokerau region.
Adding to the mix is Te Au Warawara from the Hokianga region, whose debut at the last regionals was impeded by the pandemic. Under the leadership of Makere Ngaropo and Mike Te Wake, this group boasts a lineage rich in songwriting talent, revitalising ancestral melodies to pass down to future generations.
