300 performers with intellectual disabilities from around the North Island took to the stage at the inaugural Te Anga Pāua o Āotearoa National Kapa Haka Festival in Hamilton.

Fifteen kapa haka teams from across the country have gathered at Hamilton’s Claudelands Event Centre to vie for the chance to take out the inaugural Te Anga Pāua o Aotearoa National Kapa Haka Festival for people with intellectual disabilities.

In an effort to further promote Māori performing arts, Te Matatini is breaking into the music industry, releasing a debut single, Te Matatini ki te Ao, which will feature the voices of some of kapa haka’s most talented performers.

Next Wednesday, December 5, Te Anga Pāua o Aotearoa will host the inaugural National Kapa Haka Festival for people with intellectual disabilities at the Claudelands Event Centre in Hamilton.

Mainstream schools in Gisborne are embracing Māori language and culture at the Tūranga Māori Cultural Festival, culminating with a mass waiata and haka by over 80 groups.  

Te Kāhui Huringa kapa haka from Finlayson Park are the new champions of the Tāmaki primary and intermediate kapa haka competition.  Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae took out second place and Henderson Intermediate placed third.

The inaugural Hawaiki Toa event was held today at Manukau's Vector Wero Whitewater Park. The goal of the organisers is to create an event that will provide healthy lifestyles for the community.

Finlayson Park Primary school is hosting the masses attending the Auckland Primary Schools kapa haka festival. 

Te Tairāwhiti region mourns the loss of Erica Jones, a young kapa haka singer, who died in a car accident at age 26.

Kōhanga reo from Auckland and Te Taitokerau have gathered to perform waiata and haka at Te Mokotini in East Auckland.

Ngā Puna a Waiorea have been crowned Te Ahurea Tino Rangatiratanga champions for this year.  Their group leaders say the sacrifice has been well worth it.