Claiming the Treasure

Auckland Maori performing arts group Te Waka Huia has claimed the national title and the Donald McIntyre Trophy for the fourth time at the biennial Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Championships in Tauranga. Thirty-six teams combined dance, drama, storytelling, poetry, movement, coordination and song into a 25-minute performance perfecting every discipline including whakaeke (a choreographed entry), moteatea (traditional chant), poi, waiata-a ringa (action song), haka and whakawatea (exit). Te Waka Huia was established in 1981. Festival chairman Selwyn Parata said Te Waka Huia epitomised the high calibre skill, expertise and discipline demanded of world-class kapa haka. “Te Waka Huia, Whangara mai Tawhiti [second place] and Te Kapa Haka o Te Whanau a Apanui [third place] are exemplars of our indigenous innovation – which all New Zealanders can share and celebrate.” The first national festival was held in 1972 at Rotowhio, Rotorua.