Crowds Go Wild

Gisborne hosted as many as 25, spectators and 2 competitors at this year’s National Kapa Haka Festival, Te Matatini o Te Ra, held from16 through 2 February, with Rotorua-based Te Matarae i Orehu taking the world title of Kapa Haka Champions. Forty-two teams from all over New Zealand and Australia competed for the title. Te Matarae i Orehu spent the past year preparing for the 25-minute action-packed performance, with more than 1, people watching the final. Te Matatini o Te Ra Festival executive director Darrin Apanui said: “The Tairawhiti Cultural Development Trust and the Gisborne community have really turned it on to host the thousands of people who have come to the region over the last week.” The festival began in 1972.