Te Taumata o Apanui come out top in fierce regional haka comp

Te Taumata o Apanui has taken out the Mātaatua kapa haka regional competition in Whakatāne to qualify for Te Matatini 2027.

The group’s presence was palpable from the start of their performance. During their whakaeke (entrance) item, they dominated the space with short, sharp actions and expansive body movements. Their overall performance saw them place in five out of seven aggregate categories - a feat considering the perplexing number of equal placings that were dished out overall.

Joining them to represent the region at the national competition in Hopuhopu are Ōhinemataroa ki Ruatāhuna, Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti, Te Kapa Haka o Te Whakatōhea, Tauira Mai Tawhiti and Te Whānau a Apanui.

Today's opening act and former three-time Matatini champions Te Whānau a Apanui delivered a consummate performance to kick off a competitive field of 14 groups that took to the stage today. They are one of three kapa representing their iwi of the same name, including regional winners Te Taumata o Apanui and Tauira Mai Tawhiti.

Waioweka’s tribute to Heremaia Pene, who was the victim of a tragic stabbing in Ōpōtiki last year, made for a moving start to their bracket with an explosive whakaeke (entrance) that preceded a haunting mōteatea (traditional chant, lament).

The small rural town of Ruatāhuna was well-represented by Ruatāhuna Kākahu Mauku and Ōhinemataroa ki Ruatāhuna. The latter group advancing to the nationals with their stunning and fierce performance that was matched by their visuals. The women wore green skirts under their piupiu (flax skirt) with a white and red bodice while the men were decked out in green maro and paki with legs covered in grey clay.

Tauranga-based Tūtara Kauika ki Rangataua were also among the most visually stand out groups with a wine red, sandy brown, white and black colour palette. The women held bunches of long grass-like flax, using them to add extra movement to their hand actions in the whakaeke (entrance) item.

Fourth place getters Te Kapa Haka o Whakatōhea impressed from the get-go with an entrance that exuded poise and confidence, belying their newcomer status. Their overall performance was reminiscent of old time concert parties that showcased different aspects of kapa haka, especially in their poi item where the women split into small groups to show off their dexterity and poi prowess.

Te Whānau o Tutawake unleashed in their entrance item with fierce haka elements and dynamic movements that ranged from slow swaying to crab-like walks.

Many of the groups made reference to the landslide of Mauao (Mt Maunganui), paying tribute to the victims and the mountain. They also acknowledged the two iwi hosts: event organisers Te Whānau a Apanui, and Whakatāne mana whenua, Ngāti Awa.

Thousands attended the event which kicked off yesterday with non-competitive haka groups entertaining the masses.

Ngāti Tūwharetoa Ariki Te Rangimaheu Te Heuheu was among kapa haka fans, as well as Te Makau Ariki Atawhai Paki who was there on behalf of her daughter, Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po.

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi returned to the kapa haka stage with Taumata o Apanui.

Three groups from the region are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year – Te Whānau a Apanui (40), Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti (30) and Tauira Mai Tawhiti (20).

1 Te Taumata o Apanui

2 Ōhinemataroa ki Ruatāhuna

3 Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti

4 Te Kapa Haka o Te Whakatōhea

5 Tauira Mai Tawhiti

6 Te Whānau Apanui

1 eq (2 groups)h

- Te Whānau a Apanui

- Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti

2 eq (2 groups)

- Te Taumata o Apanui

- Te Kapa Haka o Ruātoki

1 eq (3 groups)

- Ōhinemataroa ki Ruatāhuna

- Te Whānau a Apanui

- Tauira Mai Tawhiti

1 eq (4 groups)

- Te Taumata o Apanui

- Te Whānau a Apanui

- Te Kapa Haka o Te Whakatōhea

- Tauira Mai Tawhiti

1 eq (3 groups)

- Te Kapa Haka o Te Whakatōhea

- Waioweka

- Taumata o Apanui

1 Ōhinemataroa ki Ruatāhuna

2 Tauira Mai Tawhiti

3 Taumata o Apanui

1 Tauira Mai Tawhiti

2 eq (3 groups)

- Te Taumata o Apanui

- Te Whānau a Apanui

- Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti

1 Te Kapa Haka o Te Whakatōhea

2 Te Kapa Haka o Ruātoki

3 Ōhinemataroa ki Ruatāhuna

1 Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti

2 eq (2 groups)

- Tauira Mai Tawhiti

- Te Taumata o Apanui

1 eq (four groups)

- Tutara Kauika ki Rangataua

- Te Taumata o Apanui

- Tauira Mai Tawhiti

- Te Whānau a Apanui

1 eq (2 groups)

- Tauira Mai Tawhiti

- Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti

3 eq (2 groups)

- Te Whānau a Apanui

- Te Taumata o Apanui

1 eq (2 groups)

- Tauira Mai Tawhiti

- Te Kapa Haka o Te Whakatōhea

2 eq (2 groups)

- Te Whānau a Apanui

- Ōpōtiki Mai Tawhiti

1 Te Taumata o Apanui

2 eq (2 groups)

- Tauira Mai Tawhiti

- Te Kapa Haka o Ruātoki

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1 Ngā Uri o Awanuiarangi

2 eq (2 groups)

- Ngā Taringa Pai

- Ruatāhuna Korosins