Record entry numbers for Tainui Waka kapa haka 2024
A record-breaking number of entries have come in for the Tainui Waka Kapa Haka festival as teams perform for a coveted spot at the Te Matatini Festival.
Twenty-two kapa haka teams are confirmed for the two-day festival which runs Friday and Saturday.
With the record number of teams it’s likely attendance records for this event will also be surpassed at the Globox Arena, Claudelands.
Festival director Toti West attributes the unprecedented surge in participants to a recent rule change that encourages wider participation at the regional level.
“The record-breaking participation is a testament to the renewed vigour of Tainui Kapa Haka,” West said. “It also reflects a nationwide trend that we hope future festivals will continue to cultivate, maximising the reach and influence of kapa haka, fostering cultural identity, and promoting positive health, economic, and holistic wellbeing outcomes for the wider community.”
Te Pou-o-Mangataawhiri has held the regional championship title since 2018. Due to the Covid-19 disruptions, this year’s event marks the first opportunity in six years for other kapa haka to challenge their reign.
This year’s festival welcomes back Mōtai Tangata Rau, who returns from hiatus since 2019.
Te Kapa Haka o Ngā Pua o Te Kōwhara, Te-Pou-o-Mangataawhiri, and Te Iti Kahurangi, are all returning to the stage fresh from captivating audiences at their Te Matatini 2023 national performances.
Te-Pou-o-Mangataawhiri and Te Iti Kahurangi secured coveted finalist spots in 2023, raising the stakes even higher for this year’s competition.
Another team which could be a force to be reckoned with is Te Pae Kahurangi, a new composite team formed from the legacy of renowned tutors Kingi Kiriona and Te Waipounamu Teinakore.
Hauraki Kōwhao Rau will also take the stage for the first time at the Tainui competitions. Historically, Hauraki has been the only Tainui region absent from these events. The top six teams will secure a coveted spot at the pinnacle of kapa haka – the Te Matatini Festival, set to be held at Te
Kāhui Maunga, Taranaki in 2025.
Not only will there be performances at the Tainui festival, but also also a marketplace with food stalls including the ever-popular kai Māori. And there are also more than 40 Māori businesses showcasing a diverse range of art, taonga, kai, and clothing.
A partnership with the Te Ngakau-aa-Kiwa Trust has resulted in the Hauora Hub, an initiative that aims to support positive health outcomes for whānau.
It offers a collection of providers and initiatives designed to improve the holistic health of the local community.
The Tainui Waka Kapa Haka Festival 2024 has free parking via gate three and four and koha entry. It begins on Friday at 12pm until 6pm and then Saturday from 8am to 6pm.