Tauira leaders Cy McLeod and Erena Koopu. Photo / Supplied
Tauira leaders Cy McLeod and Erena Koopu. Photo / Supplied
EYES: Dusky Pryor does a spine-tingling pukana. PHOTO/SUPPLIED IMG_0020.JPG PERFORMERS: Tauira mai Tawhiti leaders Cy McLeod and Erena Koopu. PHOTO/SUPPLIED IMG_1378.JPG
Opotiki Mai Tawhiti emerged triumphant following a weekend showcasing the best of kapa haka at the Mataatua Kapa Haka Festival.
Hosted by Ngati Awa Ki Rangitaiki (the six marae of Te Teko) the event drew more than16,000 people over Saturday and Sunday in sweltering Eastern Bay weather.
Twenty-two groups from Te Whakatohea, Tauranga Moana, Ngai Tuhoe, Ngai Tai and Ngati Awa took to the stage at the Te Teko Racecourse with Opotiki Mai Tawhiti first, Tauiramaitawhiti second, Te Whanau a Apanui third, Tutarakauika ki Rangataua fourth and Ruatoki fifth.
These are the five groups that will go on to represent Mataatua at Te Matatini, the national kapa haka championships, in Wellington next year.
Dusky Pryor does a spine-tingling pukana. Photo / Supplied
Event manager Larni Hepi said he had been overwhelmed by the messages of support he had received throughout the weekend.
"So many people talked about the wairua [spirit] of the event," Hepi said. "There was an incredible feeling throughout the weekend."
He said as well as whanau, friends and supporters, there appeared to be a lot of foreigners attending the festival. "We had groups from Germany, from the UK and from other places overseas which was awesome to see. There were also a lot of Europeans in the audience."
The race course was a hive of activity last Friday as golf carts, water stations, the stage and generators were set up for the festival.
"We also achieved the highest national rating for recycling, we were able to keep 80 per cent of waste from the landfill," Hepi said.
A free kids zone kept the youngsters entertained and kai stalls kept the performers and the punters fed. Market stalls offered a range of wares and a live performance from Maimoa Music kept the crowds entertained while the haka groups took a break.
The event was live streamed by Maori Television.
Full Results:
Non Aggregate - Ngahau 1. Evergreens 2. Korosins 3. Matakana
Non Aggregate - Waiata Tira 1Equal. Opotiki mai Tawhiti, Tauira mai Tawhiti 3.Te Whanau a Apanui
Aggregate – Whakaeke 1.Tauira mai Tawhiti 2. Te Whanau a Apanui 3.Opotiki mai Tawhiti/ Tutara Kauika ki Rangataua
Aggregate – Moteatea 1Equal. Tauira mai Tawhiti, Te Kapa Haka o Ruatoki 3. Opotiki mai Tawhiti
Aggregate - Waiata-a-ringa 1. Opotiki mai Tawhiti 2. Tauira mai Tawhiti 3. Te Kapa Haka o Ruatoki, Tūtara Kauika ki Rangataua, Te Whanau a Apanui
Aggregate – Poi 1Equal. Opotiki mai Tawhiti, Te Whanau a Apanui 3.Tauira mai Tawhiti
Aggregate – Haka 1Equal. Te Whanau a Apanui, Tutara Kauika ki Rangataua 3.Opotiki mai Tawhiti, Tauira mai Tawhiti
Aggregate – Whakawatea 1. Tutara Kauika ki Rangataua 3 Equal. Opotiki mai Tawhiti, Tauira mai Tawhiti, Te Whanau a Apanui
Aggregate – Te Reo 1. Opotiki mai Tawhiti, Te Kapa Haka o Ruatoki 3 Equal. Ruatahuna Kakahu Mauku, Tutara Kauika ki Rangataua.
Mataatua teams advancing to Te Matatini 2019 are: 1. Opotiki mai Tawhiti 2. Tauira mai Tawhiti, 3. Te Whanau a Apanui 4. Tutara Kauika ki Rangataua 5. Te Kapa Haka o Ruatoki
