Te Arawa kapa haka competitors, fans and organisers are still celebrating after a successful weekend of fierce competition, incredible performance and a whole lot of fun on the Te Arawa Kapa Haka Regional Festival stage.
Previous winners Te Matarae I Orehu once again took out the two-day competition, being named the overall winner at the prizegiving ceremony on Saturday night.
The group will be joined by Te Pikikotuku o Ngati Rongomai, Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao, Ngati Rangiwewehi, Ngati Whakaue and Te Hikuwai in representing Te Arawa at Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival 2019 in Wellington.
Winners Te Matarae I Orehu performing poi on stage at the Te Arawa Kapa Haka Festival 2018. Photo/Ben Fraser
Te Arawa Kapa Haka Charitable Trust chairman Trevor Maxwell said the festival was wonderful, "very successful".
Ngati Rangiwewehi show their expertise honed over years of performing. Photo/Ben Fraser
The Rotorua Energy Events Centre was packed to the brim with excited fans cheering on the 21 groups as they were put through their paces on the stage.
Maxwell said the six teams would be worthy representatives of Te Arawa.
"When I announced Ngati Whakaue had qualified and were going to nationals for the first time in 35 years, the cheering went on for quite some time.
"There was a huge round of applause and of support, I'm sure they'll still be celebrating."
Kapa haka is the most prestigious art form within Maoridom as it encapsulates whakapapa, hitori and pakiwaitara (genealogy, history and storytelling).
Te Pikikotuku o Ngati Rongomai performa fierce haka. Photo/Ben Fraser
The festival showcases traditional and contemporary kapa haka that groups from across Te Arawa have honed to near perfection after six to nine months of rehearsals.
"We were completely sold out, there was barely an empty seat in the house," Maxwell said.
"As a committee we never really advertise, it just comes through the kumara vine, people want to see what these performers can bring to the stage.
"And the standard is only getting higher over time, it's beautiful to watch and to participate in."
Aggregate awards Whakaeke (Ruihana Trophy) 1. Te Pikikotuku o Ngati Rongomai, Te Matarae I Orehu 2. Te Hikuwai, Ngati Whakaue
Moteatea (Tenga Rangitauira Trophy) 1. Te Pikikotuku o Ngati Rongomai 2. Ngati Whakaue, Ngati Rangiwewehi
Waiataaa ringa (Kahu Morrison Memorial Trophy) 1. Te Hikuwai, Tuhourangi/ Ngati Wahiao, Ngati Rangiwewehi
Poi (Kato Flavell Memorial Trophy, Makereti Papakura Trophy) 1. Tuhourangi/ Ngati Wahiao 2. Te Matarae I Orehu 3. Te Hikuwai, Te Pikikotuku o Ngati Rongomai
Haka (Ngawhare Te Rangipuawhe Maika Trophy) 1. Te Matarae I Orehu, Ngati Rangiwewehi 3. Ngati Tarawhai
Whakamutunga – Whakawatea (TK Enterprises Trophy) 1. Te Hikuwai, Te Matarae I Orehu 3. Tuhourangi/ Ngati Wahiao
Te Reo (Rawiri Rangitauira Memorial Trophy) 1.Te Pikikotuku o Ngāti Rongomai, Te Matarae I Orehu, Ngati Tarawhai
Aggregate placegetters qualifying for Te Matatini 2019 1. Te Matarae I Orehu 2. Te Pikikotuku o Ngāti Rongomai 3. Tuhourangi/ Ngati Wahiao 4. Ngati Rangiwewehi 5. Ngati Whakaue 6. Te Hikuwai
