Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Competition

Te Matatini is the foremost Maori Arts Festivals and the summit of achievement for those taking part in the national Kapa Haka competitions. Kapa Haka groups from all over New Zealand and Australia compete for the "best of the best" crown, in the traditional performance disciplines of Haka, Poi and Waiata.

The festival opens with a 1,000-strong powhiri (welcome), performed by the host tribal group, followed by mass pageants, a fireworks spectacular and four days of awe-inspiring competition and cultural enrichment. The festival also features a Tribal Market Place, featuring handmade original, traditional and contemporary art. Te Matatini also hosts a range of artistic workshops in ta moko (traditional Maori tattooing), weaving, carving, rope plaiting and hand games

In the year leading up to the Festival 2009, more than 100 teams will compete at fourteen regional competitions (including one in Australia) to qualify to be at the Festival. A total of 30 or more teams will give the performance of their lives at the National Festival.

Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival attracts crowds of 35,000 who come to watch groups from across the nation compete for supremacy in Maori Performing Arts.

For more information visit the website.