Kapa Haka Festival: Maintaining the group's proud tradition

The countdown continues as 36 teams prepare for the biennial Kapa Haka Festival on February 22-24, to be held for the first time this year at Bastion Pt. PIRIPI DAVIS, of host team Te Puru o Tamaki, continues his weekly pre-festival diary.

Te Puru o Tamaki first performed in the regional competition in 1973. The group's return to competition in 1989 was motivated by the looming Commonwealth Games at Mt Smart Stadium where a 2000-strong powhiri was performed.

Te Puru o Tamaki are from the Ngati Whatua o Orakei hapu (sub-tribe) of Ngati Whatua, the host tribe of Auckland. On our return in 1989 , Te Puru o Tamaki came fifth out of 11 performing groups. Since then, we have been competitors at each regional competition and represented Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) at the nationals in 1996, 1998, 2000, and this year.

My mother, Esther Davis, is tutor, kuia and performer for Te Puru o Tamaki. Esther led the group as kaitataki wahine (women's leader) at our last regional event, which was held at Okahu Bay. Esther has five sons and three grandchildren performing at this year's festival. She also performed for Te Roopu Manutaki for 20 years in regional and national competition.

Te Puru o Tamaki members have experience at all levels of competition and we feel confident we will represent Tamaki Makaurau proudly.

We're counting down to the day we stand on the atimira (stage). We have been moved from 8.30 am Saturday to 7.30 pm Friday, a much better spot even though we are following one of the best groups in Aotearoa. The Ngati Whatua tribe are looking forward to hosting this event on Bastion Pt. You can't get a better backdrop than the Waitemata Harbour and Rangitoto Island.

www.kapahaka.org.nz