Cheers and thunderous clapping filled the Rotorua Energy Events Centre as people enjoyed the first day of Te Arawa Kapa Haka Regional Festival performances.
The festival showcases traditional and contemporary kapa haka that groups from across Te Arawa have honed to near perfection after six to nine months of rehearsals.
Ngati Whakaue Pakeke holding hands as they perform. Photo/Stephen Parker
It started today and continues tomorrow, with 21 groups competing for one of six places to represent Te Arawa at Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival 2019 in Wellington.
Kapa haka is the most prestigious art form within Maoridom as it encapsulates whakapapa, hitori and pakiwaitara (genealogy, history and storytelling).
Te Arawa Kapa Haka Charitable Trust chairman Trevor Maxwell was pleased with the start of the festival.
He said the performances were going well and the groups were performing with lovely spirit and energy.
Ngati Whakaue Pakeke. 02 March 2018 Daily Post photograph by Stephen Parker
He had just performed with the group Ngati Rangiwewehi Pakeke and one of things he had enjoyed was performing and singing items they used to do when they were successful.
He said there were a lot of happy and positive people around.
"The audience has been very warm and responsive to the groups that are participating.
"There's a real feeling of being proud to be Te Arawa and proud to be representing their iwi. This is a lovely time to show and feel proud about the culture."
He said more than 4000 people were expected tomorrow, adding Rotorua was blessed to have such a beautiful facility as the Energy Events Centre.
"Today's building up and it will build up to be even bigger tomorrow."
Maxwell was also been pleased with the positive response to the smokefree, alcohol free and even fizzy drink-free festival.
Ngati Rangiwewehi Pakeke perform with energy and spirit. Photo/Stephen Parker
Ngati Rongomai Pakeke performer Ngahuia Elliott said the group's performance had gone well.
She had been a bit nervous but enjoyed it, her third time performing at the Te Arawa Kapa Haka Regional Festival.
Elliott said she enjoyed the whanaungatanga, with everyone being together and having laughs.
Tomorrow doors open at 8am with the first group on stage at 9am. A prizegiving will be held at 6.45pm.
