Te Hui Ahurei a Tuhoe festival back in Rotorua

Warriors from Tawera Kapa Haka. Photo / File

Te Hui Ahurei a Tuhoe is returning home to the place of its inception following a unanimous decision by performing ropu.

First held in Rotorua in 1971, the biennial festival was established by John Rangihau to strengthen the identity of urban Tuhoe and for Tuhoe descendants to join together on the stage and sporting field.

The three-day event now attracts up to 20,000 Tuhoe every two years. Competition within kapa haka, both adults and tamariki, and on the netball courts and rugby fields, can only be described as fierce.

Since 1971 the festival has also been held in Waimana and Ruatahuna but, in recent years, Ruatoki has hosted the event.

Ahurei organising committee member Whitiaua Ropitini said Rotorua's Mataatua Marae had extended an invitation to hapu to "bring the event back to Rotorua".

"The very first ahurei was held in Rotorua as it was deemed the most central point for the two main ropu, Te Tira Hou from Auckland and Poneke in Wellington," Ropitini said.

"The invitation was unanimously agreed upon. The change of view, change of scenery is a good thing for the festival."

He admitted there had been objections to the move but said they were from a small group.

"Rotorua is not home to Tuhoe, we all know it's not home, but Rotorua is an area that Tuhoe migrated to and Mataatua is at its heart.

"For all we know this may lead to other marae offering to host the ahurei and extending an invitation to ropu."

To be held at the Rotorua International Stadium from March 30 to April 1, Ropitini said the venue would also allow for more sport and activities to be added to the programme.

"We're not limited to two or three fields this year so will look to bring in more to cater for children of all ages and the skill level of all adults."

He said while the Australian Tuhoe contingent had not confirmed their attendance as yet, organisers had told they were coming via word of mouth. "From what I understand all ropu that performed in 2016 will be back this year."

The organising committee had connected with Te Arawa who were endorsing the ahurei being held in Rotorua and who had also offered their support.

Ropitini said it was exciting for Rotorua to be hosting Te Hui Ahurei a Tuhoe and hoped people who had not experienced the event would take the opportunity to do so this year.