Editorial: Te Arawa talent to share cup limelight

What a coup to have such strong Te Arawa representation in the Arohanui haka theatre production touring the country during the Rugby World Cup.

As many as 85,000 international visitors are expected to come to New Zealand for the tournament and, while rugby will be their main focus, they are going to be keen to experience an authentic chunk of Kiwi "culcha" during their visit.

Maori culture is naturally going to be a huge part of that.

Fired up by the haka at All Blacks games, visitors are going to be keen to learn more about our tangata whenua and the language, kapa haka, stories, art and history unique to New Zealand.

Rotorua has always prided itself as being at the forefront of cultural tourism - New Zealand's Maori cultural capital - from the early concert parties to the Tamaki brothers' storytelling approach and today's incorporation of the natural and cultural world into many attractions and activities.

But other centres are recognising the value of authentic indigenous experiences in the tourism sector and Rotorua needs to work hard to retain its status and drawing power in this arena.

For national haka theatre production team Te Matatini to include such a strong Te Arawa presence - 11 out of 30 performers - speaks volumes for the strength of local kapa haka and Maori culture in this area.

This strength was also illustrated earlier in the year when Te Arawa's Te Mataarae won the national kapa haka championships in Gisborne.

As well as being pleased for and proud of the individuals who have worked so hard to achieve such successes, we should be excited about what this means for the wider community and for Rotorua's tourism sector.

These performers offer strong, healthy role models for young Maori, showing how pride in their heritage and active participation in preserving their traditions can create a positive future.

It also enables Rotorua to offer tourists a genuine experience of a current, relevant culture they will not find anywhere else in the world.