Maori Party Co-Leader Pita Sharples Features In Auckland Regional Kapa Haka Competitions
Dr Pita Sharples: Photo by Vince Hepara
Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples was among more than 500 kapa haka performers competing in the Tamaki Makaurau
Regional Kapa Haka Competition held at the Aotea Centre, THE EDGE as part of Matariki Festival 10.
Dr Sharples was part of Te Roopu Manutaki and performed alongside his son, and team leader, Paora Sharples. The team
finished in third place and was one of six selected to represent Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) at Te Matatini National Kapa
Haka Festival in Gisborne in February 2011.
The Auckland competition is the last of the regional competitions to decide the teams to compete at the national event
and this year entries were double the previous event with 21 teams competing.
Current national champions Te Waka Huia won the Auckland competition, with Nga Tumanako finishing in second place. Also
selected to represent Auckland were Manu Huia, Te Taha Tu and Te Tai Tonga.
The event was part of the region-wide Matariki Festival 10 which runs until July 14 and includes more than 100 events
across the Auckland region.
ENDS