Popular win at showcase of kapa haka
Judges like distinctive style, and PM is quizzed on funding. Katie Doyle reports.
Ma¯ ori excellence was on full display at Te Matatini yesterday, with Te Kapa Haka o Te Wha¯nau Apanui taking out the top spot at the festival.
The crowd erupted as the result was announced by chairman Selwyn Parata shortly before 6pm.
Head judge Paraone Gloyne said it was a tight race, but Apanui had a distinctive style which shone through.
‘‘Apanui have what we call a wairua Ma¯ ori, a Ma¯ oriness about them in their performance, and they’ve got a style,’’ said Gloyne.
‘‘That is one thing a lot of groups grapple with, establishing a style or identity, because you’re looking at things that are going to define you and going to give you a point of difference.’’
It marked the end of an actionpacked week when the best of kapa haka was on show to thousands of fans at Nga¯ Ana Wai, Eden Park.
Mighty totara were acknowledged throughout the various performances, including Ta¯ Toby Curtis and kapa haka great Muriwai Ihakara.
Te Kapa Haka o Te Wha¯nau Apanui dedicated their waiataa¯ -ringa (action song) to the memory of the late Moana Jackson, describing him as a treasure, encouraging everyone to hold fast to their mana Ma¯ ori.
‘‘I’m proud of my uncle . . . he made such a huge contribution to Ma¯ori in this country. It was fabulous hearing that and very humbling,’’ said nephew and Cabinet minister Willie Jackson.
In a political twist, Te Kapa Haka o Te Wha¯ nau Apanui also announced the Waiariki candidacy for Te Pa¯ ti Ma¯ ori co-leader Rawiri Waititi while on stage.
Speaking afterwards, Waititi joked it would probably go down as the most creative candidate announcement of the election.
‘‘I had a fair idea about what was going on, but what it does is show that you have the confidence of your people to be able to stand there and nominate you as a voice for them.’’
The afternoon continued to bring political action, with Prime Minister Chris Hipkins arriving in time for the performance by newcomers Angitu¯ before taking a tour through the marketplace.
Hipkins was quizzed on future funding for Te Matatini, a topic of conversation among audience members throughout the festival.
Te Matatini received just under $3m in Budget 2022; the Royal New Zealand Ballet received $8m.
‘‘They’re different, and so I don’t think we should necessarily compare them, but we do need to look at the longer-term funding picture,’’ said Hipkins.
Te Matatini chief executive Carl Ross said the festival had brought everyone together and he was incredibly proud of his team for their hard work.
While there had been questions at the start over why
Matatini was going ahead, Ross said any concerns had quickly disappeared.
‘‘A lot of the comments that have been coming back from our kaihaka from the places themselves is that they now feel recharged and ready to face what they need to do in the cleanups they have to do.’’
Te Kapa Haka o Nga¯ti Whakaue and Wha¯nga¯ra¯ Mai Tawhiti ranked second equal.