Te Rangiura o Wairarapa has taken out the Tākitimu Te Kahu o Te Amorangi – formerly Ngāti Kahungunu – regional kapa haka competition held in Waipukurau, Central Hawke’s Bay, to qualify for Te Matatini 2027.
The group’s performance at the competition took a near clean-sweep in all categories – missing out on two: The mōteatea (traditional chant) and new composition. This is their fourth time heading to the nationals.
Joining them to represent the region at Hopuhopu, Waikato, in 2027 is Te Kapa Haka o Kahungunu, Te Kapa o Ngāti Ranginui and Matangirau.
Thousands braved the wet weather to watch 12 groups take to the stage in the first qualifying competition of the season.
The day was split into two sessions. Most of the groups in the morning session performed some of the region’s most beloved waiata such as Tirama Mai, Tutira Mai and haka Tika Tonu.
The five competitive groups performed in the second part of the day.
Independent MP Tākuta Ferris once again stood for Tamatea Arikinui and introduced the group’s catchy waiata ā ringa (action song) encouraging Māori to vote this election year.
Green Party’s Ikaroa-Rāwhiti candidate Heather Te Au Skipworth performed earlier in the day with Ngāti Kahungunu Pakeke.
During prize giving, each kapa were given a rourou kai – giant kono (harakeke baskets) filled with delicacies. Spontaneous pao and waiata by members of Tamatea Arikinui accompanied the giving of kai which lent a festive vibe to the start of prize giving.
Next regional hosts
Tauranga-based group Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Ranginui formally requested the hosting rights to the next regional competition. Narelle Huata, chair of the Ngāti Kahungunu Rūnanga Arts and Culture Board, said the request is still under consideration.
“To our tuakana, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for putting the tono down to invite us to Kahungunu pā – I’m sad to say we have not made a decision.”
She said they will sit down “kanohi ki te kanohi” (face-to-face) with Ngāti Ranginui and the wider iwi on March 23 to discuss further.
During the handing over part of prize giving the mauri was symbolically returned to the board.
Results
AGGREGATE
Overall
1 Te Rangiura o Wairarapa
2 Te Kapa Haka o Kahungunu
3 Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Ranginui
4 Matangirau
Whakaeke
1 Te Rangiura o Wairarapa
2 Te Kapa Haka o Kahungunu
3 Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Ranginui
Mōteatea
1 Te Kapa Haka o Kahungunu
2 Te Rangiura o Wairarapa
3 Tamatea Arikinui
Poi
1 Te Rangiura o Wairarapa
2 Te Kapa Haka o Kahungunu
3 Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Ranginui
Waiata a Ringa
1 Te Rangiura o Wairarapa
2 Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Ranginui
3 Te Kapa Haka o Kahungunu
Haka
1 Te Rangiura o Wairarapa
2 Te Kapa Haka o Kahungunu
3 Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Ranginui
Whakawātea
1 Te Rangiura o Wairarapa
2 Te Kapa Haka o Kahungunu
3 Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Ranginui
Te Kairangi o te Reo
1 Te Rangiura o Wairarapa
2 Te Kapa Haka o Kahungunu
3 Tamatea Arikinui
NON-AGGREGATE
Waiata Tira
1 Te Rangiura o Wairarapa
2 Te Kapa Haka o Kahungunu
3 Matangirau
Manukura Tāne
1 Te Rangiura o Wairarapa
2 Te Kapa Haka o Kahungunu
3 Tamatea Arikinui
Manukura Wahine
1 Te Rangiura o Wairarapa
2 Te Kapa Haka o Kahungunu
3 Matangirau
Kākāhu
1 Te Rangiura o Wairarapa
2 Te Kapa Haka o Kahungunu
3 Tamatea Arikinui
Te Reo ā Tuhi
1 Te Rangiura o Wairarapa
2 Te Kapa Haka o Kahungunu
3 Matangirau
Te Toi Huarewa o Takitimu – Te titonga hou waiata ā ringa me te haka
Te Kapa Haka o Kahungunu
Kita Oro – guitarist
1 Te Rangiura o Wairarapa
2 Te Kapa Haka o Kahungunu
3 Te Kapa Haka o Ranginui.
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