Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) region wrapped up its regional kapa haka competitions over the weekend, with six teams representing the rohe and — to the surprise of many — three groups placing first.
With Tāmaki being the last rohe to host its regional competition, the total number of groups performing at next year’s Te Matatini ki Te Kāhui Maunga national haka festival has risen to an unprecedented 55 teams.
'First for this region' – three groups take out top spot
Performances from Te Waka Huia, Ngā Tūmanako and Angitu resonated with the judges so much that there was nothing to differentiate between the three rōpū – all received equal standings throughout most aggregate items.
Crowds gasped as regional delegate Paora Sharples announced that there was no third or second place, revealing instead that the three groups all placed first equal, adding “[He] tuatahitanga tēnei i roto i tēnei rohe ([It’s] a first for this region).”
One of the oldest competitive kapa in the Tāmaki region, Te Rōpū Manutaki, were placed fourth overall, while newcomers Te Poho o Hinekahukura gained a spot to Te Matatini with their debut performance earning them fifth place.
Te Taha Tū were named as the sixth group to qualify for the national festival.
Where to now?
Mātaatua, Ngāti Kahungunu and Te Tauihu rohe kicked off regional haka events earlier this year, with the goal of showcasing kapa haka "around the motu in 80 days".
Now that all regions have selected their groups to represent them at the national festival, teams have nine months to prepare themselves for Te Matatini ki Te Kāhui Maunga 2025, with Ngāmotu/New Plymouth playing host to the masses from February 25 through to March 1.
Kapa heading to Te Matatini 2025 (full list)
1. Te Kapa Haka o Te Whānau a Apanui
2. Ōhinemataroa ki Ruatāhuna
3 = Tauira Mai Tawhiti
3 = Te Taumata o Apanui
5. Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti
6. Te Kapa Haka o Ruatoki
1. Te Rangiura o Wairarapa
2. Te Rerenga Kōtuku
3. Te Kapa Haka o Kahungunu
4. Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Ranginui
1. Te Kuru Marutea
2. Kia Ngāwari
1. Ngāti Whakaue
2. Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao
3. Te Pikikōtuku o Ngāti Rongomai
4. Te Hekenga-ā-Rangi
5. Ngāti Rangiwewehi
6. Te Hikuwai
1. Te Reanga Mōrehu o Rātana
2. Ngā Purapura o Te Tai Hauāuru
3. Te Kura Nui o Paerangi
4. Ngā Waihotanga
1. Muriwhenua
2. Hātea
3. Te Uri o Manumanu
4. Te Puu Ao
1. Waihīrere
2. Whāngārā Mai Tawhiti
3. Te Hokowhitu a Tū
4. Tū Te Manawa Maurea
5. Hikurangi Pāriha
Te Whanganui a Tara (two groups)
1. Te Ahi a Tahurangi
2. Ngā Taonga Mai Tawhiti
Te Whenua Moemoeā (three groups)
1. Manawa Mai Tawhiti
2. Te Kapa Haka o Te Hau Tawhiti
3. Te Atawhai Puumanawa
1. Te Tū Mataora
2. Te Tini o Rēhua
3. Ngā Whirikōkō o Rangitāne
4. Te Ringa Kaha
1. Mōtai Tangata Rau
2. Te Pou o Mangataawhiri
3. Te Iti Kahurangi
4. Te Kapa Haka o Ngā Pua o Te Kōwhara
5. Te Pae Kahurangi
1. Kōkō Tangiwai
2. Ngā Manu a Tāne
3. Te Ahikaaroa
4. Ngā Hau e Whā ki Murihiku
Tāmaki Makaurau (six groups)
1 = Te Waka Huia
1 = Angitu
1 = Ngā Tūmanako
4. Te Rōpū Manutaki
5. Te Poho o Hinekahukura
6. Te Taha Tū
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