Tuhourangi-Ngati Wahiao swept aside the competition in taking out first place at the Te Arawa Regional Kapa Haka Competition 2012.
The champion group won first place in five of the six sections - whakaeke (entry), waiata moteatea, waiata-a-ringa (action song), poi, haka and whakamutunga (exit).
Group spokesperson John Turi said it was an honour especially with the high level of competition.
"We were competing with the giants."
Mr Turi was delighted and said it was really lovely to have such a large number of groups competing which allowed six teams to go through to the Te Matatini National competition being hosted by Te Arawa next year.
"All six will represent Te Arawa well and it is important since we're hosting it."
Mr Turi said some of the new groups stepped up including Nga Potiki o Hinehopu who placed sixth and also are eligible to compete at the nationals.
The champion's performance was more traditional and Mr Turi said they had taken a leaf from their ancestors.
"We looked at (footage) in the archives and brought some of those ideas back. We focussed on simplicity and getting our message across clearly."
"We were pleased with our performance."
It was a packed house at the Rotorua Energy Centre who witnessed the 22 Te Arawa teams compete and six make it through to the national competition next year.
The six groups are:
1 Tuhourangi-Ngati Wahiao
2 Te Matarae i Orehu
3 Nga Uri o Te Whanoa
4 Kataore