Kapa haka group honours founder
A co-founder of a Manawatu¯ kapa haka team who died last year will be remembered by his teammates during their performance at major Ma¯ori festival. Te Tu¯ Mataroa is one of two Palmerston North groups headed to Te Matatini Ki Te Ao festival in Wellington on Thursday. The festival is the biggest Ma¯ ori event in the world and a massive showcase of Ma¯ ori culture, art, fashion, food and film.
Tina Blake-ponga said this Te Matatini will be particularly special for her and the other performers. It is their first major competition without her husband, a co-founder of the group.
Nathaniel Ponga died suddenly last May, just days after being diagnosed with leukaemia – and only six months before his son, Nathaniel Ponga Jr, was born. ‘‘Nate loved kapa haka and everyone in this team, this wha¯ nau.
‘‘So we’re doing it for him this year,’’ Blake-ponga said.
Te Tu¯ Mataroa is dedicating all its performances at this year’s festival to his memory and mana, and Ponga will be joining the team in spirit.
The team is carrying a portrait of Ponga to Wellington, and Blake-ponga will bring their son down with her.
Yesterday, the gym at Ross Intermediate School echoed with stamping feet, and beautiful waiata as another Palmerston North group polished its performances for Thursday’s festival.
Te Tini o Rehua co-leader Pita Savage said the group had worked hard for months to get every move and note perfect for Te Matatini. And a week out everyone was so close, the group just needed that last push for it to click into place, he said.
They were all particularly excited for this year’s festival, with the performers getting to tread the same ground as the All Blacks. Holding the festival in the Westpac Stadium is a significant milestone, with Te Matini being in the heart of a major city for the first time in 50 years.