Fifty judges who will have the hard task of selecting the next top kapa haka in the country for Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga, Kāhui Tipua, Kāhui Wairua have been announced.
Judges will consider groups on 16 aggregate and non-aggregate categories – four judges to each aggregate item, two to every non-aggregate.
Te Matatini executive Maui Tangohau said it was a careful and thorough process selecting judges, “with 13 regions nominating candidates who are highly qualified, impartial, experienced in performing and in the intricacies of the respective kapa haka disciplines”.
Scroll down to the end of this article for the full list of judges.
The competition was launched this morning at an event held at Pukekura (Bowl of Brooklands) in New Plymouth, the venue that will host the competition next year.
The Kapa Haka competition’s official launch kicked off on Friday as the region gets ready to welcome a record-breaking number of teams. (Source: 1News)
Tickets went on sale today from midday on Ticketspace and temporary campsite and motorhome facilities have been made available to book at the same time as festival tickets, but only for those who will stay for the duration of the event.
It will come as a relief for kapa haka enthusiasts as accommodation in the city and nearby towns has dried up.
Adult-Pakeke (18-64 years) ticket prices start at $50 for a single day pass, or $200 for five days.
“We understand the challenges many whānau are facing and are committed to ensuring that the cultural significance of kapa haka is accessible to everyone,” Te Matatini chairman Tā (Sir) Selwyn Parata said.
“If spectators wish to experience all five days of Te Matatini, it will be more cost-effective to purchase a five-day pass and save up to $50.”
A special performance of the iconic song Poi E was performed by Te Kāhui Maunga kapa haka, led by the Pātea Māori Club.
It will be first time for Te Kāhui Maunga – a collective made up of kapa haka from Taranaki, Whanganui and Rātana – to host a national kapa haka competition since 1994. Back then, the competition was known as the Aotearoa Traditional Māori Performing Arts Festival, and it was held at the Hāwera Racecourse.
Here’s the full list of judges:
Head judge
Turuhira Hare
Matatoki
Charlie Rahiri
Paora Sharples
Te Ara Vakaafi
Rhonda Tibble
Aggregate judges
Whakaeke
Dr Te Hira Paenga
Hohepa Tamehana
Janis de Thierry
Kelly Henare-Heke
Mōteatea
Paora Brosnan
Tapeka Henare
Rangi Te Whiu
Ngarimu Parata
Waiata ā ringa
Heeni Kereru
Thomas Parata
Te Rangi Hemi
Raymond Kaiki
Poi
Leanne Morehu
Donna Morrison
Miri Hare
Te Atarangi Whiu
Haka
Tei Nohotima
Watson Ohia
Mark Pirikahu
Hemi Tai Tin
Whakawātea
Tuhoe Huata
Anthony de Thierry
Haani Huata-Allen
Jojo Rangihaeata
Te Kairangi o Te Mita o Te Reo
Chris Winitana
Petina Winiata
Rawiri Tinirau
Ngaringi Katipa
Non-aggregate judges
Titonga mōteatea
Ruki Tobin
Georgina Kerekere
Titonga waiata ā ringa
Keita Tuhi
Komene Kururangi
Titonga poi
Alexia Greening
Robyn Hata-Gage
Titonga haka
Wayne Ngata
Haturini McGarvey
Waiata tira
Ruakiri Fairhall
Shanelle Wallace
Kākahu
Tina Winitana
Mark Kopua
Manukura wahine
Ngahiriwa Tai Tin
Huia Hahunga
Manukura tāne
Hohua Mohi
Joe Harawira
Te Reo a Tuhi
Leon Blake
Te Raania Ormsby-Teki
