Te Arawa groups have produced strong performances on day one of the national kapa haka championship Te Matatini.
The annual competition is being held at Hawke's Bay Regional Sports Park in Hastings, renamed Kahungunu Park for the occasion, and ends on Sunday with the top nine groups taking to the stage once again before a national champion is crowned.
A record 47 teams from New Zealand and Australia will compete over the three days.
First up today were Ngati Rangiwewehi, led by Dan and Hiria Vaka, who performed just before midday.
They were followed by Te Pikikotuku o Ngati Rongomai, led by Tukiterangi and Renata Curtis. Te Matarae I Orehu, led by Wetini Mitai-Ngatai and Miri Morrison-Hare, will take to the stage at 6.22pm.
Te Pikikotuku o Rongomai. PHOTO/HAWKE'S BAY TODAY
Five Te Arawa groups will perform at the biennial event.
Rotorua and Te Arawa radio personality, Kingi Biddle, said all the performances he had witnessed so far on day one were exceptional.
"I thought Ngati Rangiwewehi had a strong performance. They were powerful in all items which could see them take a finals slot.
"Many groups were awesome, but some of their items weren't on the same level as the other items. Ngati Rangiwewehi shone in all waiata and haka."
Mr Biddle said Te Pikikotuku o Ngati Rongomai stepped their performance up to another level.
"They were natural in their movements, they had amazing choreography and a strong sense of unity.
"Overall, a powerful performance."
Ngati Rangiwewehi. PHOTO/HAWKE'S BAY TODAY
Te Matatini life member Trevor Maxwell, who spent more than 30 years taking part in the festival, said both Ngati Rangiwewehi and Ngati Rongomai gave "beautiful and brilliant performances".
"Those two executed their programmes very well and set the standard for Te Arawa.
"I've been sitting here with a lot of pride and it's a great feeling."
Mr Maxwell said the standard this year was amazing with many great performances.
