At every Matatini, each kapa haka group at the national competition is co-led by a man and a woman.
They command the stage and get the best out of their team, the best being recognised at the finals.
In Angitū, Tuhoe Tamaiparea and Pere Wihongi challenged gender roles by standing in the poi line, alongside their female teammates — with leadership backing their takatapui members.
"It's a huge, huge step for us... we've been longing to do the poi on a Matatini stage and as our authentic self," Wihongi said.
Watch the full story in the video above.
ADVERTISEMENT
SHARE ME