Matatini – Many faces, Many places

Tuesday, 3 March 2015, 11:47 am
Press Release: Ngati Kahungunu

Matatini – Many faces, Many places

A strong Kahungunu contingent of 4 teams will be competing at the Te Matatini National Kapa Haka competition being held in Waitaha Christchurch, from 4th – 8th March. Teams have already begun to travel down to Christchurch in preparation for the powhiri on Wednesday and the start of the competition on Thursday. Congratulations and best of luck to the following teams representing the Kahungunu rohe - Te Rerenga Kōtuku, Pareārau, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga and Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Ranginui.

The kawe mate of the former Chairperson of the Ngāti Kahungunu Runanga Arts and Culture Board and Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated Taumata member - Tama Huata will be taken to Te Matatini in Waitaha and will be acknowledged by Kapa Haka exponents throughout the motu.

At the end of this event, Ngāti Kahungunu will uplift the Mauri of Te Matatini to bring home in advance of Ngāti Kahungunu hosting the event in February 2017. The mauri will begin its journey on the iwi owned doubled hulled sailing waka ‘Te Matau a Māui’ sailed by the Te Matau a Māui Voyaging Trust. The mauri will stop in Te Whanganui-a-Tara and it will be transported by road to Wairarapa, followed by Tamaki nui-a-Rua, Tamatea, Heretaunga, Te Whanganui-a-Orotū, Wairoa and then Tauranga Moana, before returning to Heretaunga ahead of the Kahungunu event being held in 2017.

While the mauri stone is in each area we will be inviting the general public, local councils and business houses, schools and government agencies to be a part of the wānanga or workshops that will be facilitated at each venue. The purpose will be to encourage the whole of the Ngāti Kahungunu region to be part of the opening ceremony in 2017, where we will have a stadium of 250,000 people showcasing our region to the world. Many schools, institutions and businesses have already agreed to participate. The mauri will stay for approximately 2 months in each district. Kaitiaki or guardians will travel with the mauri from the time it is picked up to the time it is handed over to the next rohe in 2017.

We encourage everyone to keep an eye out for when wānanga will be held in your district and to work with your Kapa haka exponents and / or Māori Artists to be ready to receive the mauri in your area. This will be an opportunity to develop the Cultural Arts and Heritage specific to your area. It will also help develop an economic base towards supporting Te Matatini 2017.

Teachers from Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu and the Ngāti Kahungunu Runanga Arts and Culture Board will be assisting to facilitate wānanga in each area. Further details about the different events will be circulated as information is finalised.

Ngāti Kahungunu is the third largest iwi. Geographically the tribe has the second longest coastline in the country from Paritū in the North to Turakirae in the South. Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated maintains an independent position to provide research, advice and advocate for the interests, rights, values, beliefs and practices of Ngāti Kahungunu alongside our whānau and hapū. Our mission is to enhance the mana and well-being of Ngāti Kahungunu.

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