Watch NZH Local Focus: 'It represents us an iwi'

Containers, accessories, and lots of uniforms.

A kapa haka team's look is crucial to it's success.

"It represents us an iwi," Marama Hemi from the wardrobe department, says.

The design on this bodice represents the team's religion - Ratana.

Ms Hemi says: "For us as morehu and our team it means a lot, apart from being on stage and doing the kapa haka it's one of the most important things to us."

But, this polished look doesn't come without hard work.

Toni Wallace, also from the wardrobe department says: "These maro, these are the aprons that the men where, these were a group effort to make, we had wananga for about five months just preparing the harakeke."

And it took a further two months to put them together.

It's a skill that's been finessed through hard work... just like their performance.

Tutor, Tetaepa Kameta, says the team was born from a Ratana youth movement in the early 80s - since then it's seen at least four generations.

"Kapa Haka builds a platform for each iwi around the motu to go and express themselves and how they're feeling and it's a way for Māoridim to catch up with each other, really."

Kapa haka has also steered some of their young people towards a better education.

Kamaka Manuel says: "That has led them to become teachers to be involved in Māori management, to be involved in Māori administration."

They may not have been named among the top nine finalists, but, with the tikanga that underpins their performance. Te Reanga Morehu o Ratana will be leaving Hawke's Bay a happy rōpū.

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