Auckland victory at Te Matatini
A ro¯pu¯ (team) from Ta¯makiMakaurau (Auckland) has taken out the competition at Te Matatini, claiming the top prize as the new Toa Whakahuwaka.
Nga¯ Tu¯manako were awarded the Nga¯po¯ and Pimia Wehi Duncan McIntyre Trophy, with a performance that centred on the revitalisation of te reo Ma¯ori.
Wet weather couldn’t dampen the finals competition at Te Matatini yesterday, which was described as ‘‘fiercely fought’’ by organisers.
The kapa haka competition, which took place at Westpac Stadium over four days from Thursday last week, was notable this year for new arrivals to the finals stage, as well as the absence of past champions.
The first-time winners, Nga¯ Tu¯ manako, beat 46 other teams. That included Te Waka Huia, which, despite being five-time winners, did not make the finals this year, even with a moving performance about suicide.
The upper North Island dominated places in the finals, with three teams from Te Arawa Bay of Plenty and three from Waikato making up six of the nine groups in the finals.
Second placegetters Te Piki Ko¯tuku o Nga¯ti Rongomai, from Te Arawa, were first-time finalists, impressing with their quick taiaha movements and strong singing.
Third place went to Te Wha¯nau-a¯-Apanui, a group from Mataatua, which sang songs about the Ringatu¯ faith and its tribal connections.
This year’s winners will have a homeground advantage at the next competition, with the mauri (lifeforce) of Te Matatini heading to Auckland where the biennial event will be held at Eden Park in 2021.
Greater Wellington Regional Council chairman Chris Laidlaw said Te Matatini had proved itself as one of the most significant cultural events in New Zealand.
‘‘Te Matatini showed how we can bring people together and share our language, stories, arts and culture with the world. This was a true international-level event.’’