Rotorua Te Matatini up for major award

NOMINATED: Te Matatini has been named as a finalist in the New Zealand Association of Event Professionals Event Awards. PHOTO/FILE

Rotorua's showcasing of Maori performing arts has been recognised by the organisers of national events awards.

The 2013 Te Matatini, held at the Rotorua International Stadium, has been named as a finalist in the New Zealand Association of Event Professionals Event Awards as one of the Best New Zealand Owned Major Events.

Monty Morrison, a member of Te Matatini organising committee, said it was recognition of a "tremendous effort" by a large group of people that began in 2008 and culminated in the four-day celebration of kapa haka.

"This has come out of the blue," Mr Morrison said of the announcement. "It's a great achievement for everyone involved, right from the first leadership meeting we held in 2008. It was a tremendous effort. It was amazing and very humbling to have the recognition that we get.

"This event doesn't rest on one person. It's a big effort."

While the event was owned by a governing body based in Wellington each Te Matatini event was organised by a committee in the area where it was held.

The Rotorua District Council's creative communities portfolio leader, Councillor Glenys Searancke, said it was great to see the Te Arawa-hosted Te Matatini festival recognised as one of last year's best events.

"This recognition further enhances the event legacy that Rotorua continues to forge," she said. "The partnerships formed were a key aspect, with the council, Te Arawa, and Te Matatini national body collectively striving for the same goal, and clearly delivering one of the country's top events last year."

Mrs Searancke said the Rotorua festival was a breakthrough event with record attendance, and gave a far-reaching profile for Rotorua throughout New Zealand and overseas media channels.

"Over the four-day festival more than 50,000 people celebrated the best kapa haka the world has seen, with an additional 1645 performers and an event workforce of 1495. These are impressive numbers.

"We were also particularly proud of the way our council facilities accommodated the needs of Te Matatini and our Events & Venues team is to be congratulated for their massive efforts in ensuring the festival was delivered professionally and to a very high standard."

Also shortlisted in the awards is Ironman New Zealand, which is held in Taupo every March.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Christchurch on August 6.