Successful 7th Australian Kapahaka Competition
Canberra was the host city to another successful ‘regional’ kapahaka competition for teams vying for the honour to
represent Maori living in Australia at next years Te Matatini event to be held in Wellington.
“It was evident by the number of teams drawn from across Australia that there is a strong drive and ambition to
participate in the kapahaka event” said Maori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta
“The standard of performance and the quality of composition and te reo will be a strong rival to any team in New Zealand
- and that’s a real challenge”
“But it’s more than kapahaka for many of these rōopu who have to travel huge distances to wananga and establish their
links to other Māori who they may not know or be related to”
“Māori are keen to reconnect to their culture, language and identity and kapahaka is the medium to achieve that”
“I was pleased to attend and acknowledge all teams who made a significant effort”
“In particular I want to congratulate first place winner Manawa Mai Tawhiti and second place contestant Te Hoe ki
Matangireia who will be the two Australian kapahaka rōopu travelling to Wellington next year”