Kapa haka on show
The All Blacks have taken the haka global with their tradition of performing Ka Mate before matches, but Aucklanders are going to have the opportunity to see some more modern interpretations of kapa haka this weekend.
The Kapa Haka Super 12s will see 12 kapa haka teams competing at The Cloud on Queen’s Wharf tomorrow.
Each team will perform for 12 minutes to compete for a share of $12,000 worth of prizes.
The free event is part of the Matariki Festival and was pointed out as a highlight of last year’s festival by mayor Len Brown.
‘‘It’s refreshing to see our young talent show off their skills and give their spin on an ancient Maori art form,’’ he says.
Hana Aranga and her Hillsborough-based team Tu Whitia took part in the 2012 event.
‘‘It was awesome,’’ she says. ‘‘ We came second last year so we are look- ing to try and improve on that this year.’’
Ms Aranga says the competition is fierce but the team have developed a routine that is sure to impress.
‘‘Let’s just say that we are using a lot of humour this year and taking a light-hearted look at some issues.’’
She says one of the main reasons they enter and support the competition is for the promotion of Maori language.
‘‘It should be promoted every week, not just one week a year,’’ she says.