High fives and cheers at IDEA Services kapa haka festival

"Anyone here from Taranaki?" "Yes!"

"Gisborne?" "Over here!"

"Any from Rotorua?" "Yes! We are!"

The enthusiasm was tremendous, and the IDEA Services Central Region Kapa Haka Festival was only just beginning.

The first group to perform was Te Roopu mai nga whenua o nga roto, made up of members from Whakatane, Rotorua, and Taupo. Photo / Ben Fraser

The event at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre yesterday started with the unveiling of a special taonga created by carver/kaiwhakairo Renata Te Wiata.

It was handed over at the end of the festival to the Taranaki kapa haka group who will host the next festival.

The first group to perform was Te Roopu mai nga whenua o nga roto with members from Whakatane, Rotorua and Taupo.

It was the group's first time performing at the festival, after forming last August.

MC Krissy Knap read out the group's introduction, and a group of nervous faces in kapa haka uniform shuffled towards the stages.

"Our name encompasses all of our branch area: Land of the Lakes ... We practise weekly in Rotorua. Our leaders are Shaun McKay (Taupo) and Claudette Thornton (Whakatane).

"We are working on fine-tuning our programme, with a concentrated effort in the last three weeks."

The group performed three waiata and a haka.

The crowd sang along, tapped their feet and copied the actions, and the final applause was enough to prick up the ears of bathers in the nearby Polynesian Spa.

Backstage after the performance, the group was ecstatic.

There were high fives, hugs and jumps for joy.

"I did it!"

"I'm not nervous any more, no!"

"That was amazing!"

One of the group's tutors, Merehoana Katting, said learning and performing kapa haka had given the members a lot of confidence.

"They were especially proud when they got their uniform at the dress rehearsal this week."

She said they normally practised for two hours every week.

"The biggest challenge has been getting everyone together. When we are together the group does really well."

IDEA Services supports adults with intellectual disabilities to live in their own homes and be part of their communities.

Acting central region general manager Lianne Bryers said there was a big demand for the festival.

"The people we support tell us what we need to be doing. Activities like this help them solidify their place in the world."

Western Heights High School's Te Maru programme leader Chris Brewer brought along 20 of her students to watch.

"A lot of our guys know those in the Rotorua kapa haka group who are taking part. They're really enjoying seeing what they could go on to take part in."