Tāmaki Kapa Haka is calling on teams nationwide to join its campaign to vaccinate so the 2022 Te Matatini Festival runs safely in the midst of a health crisis.

While Te Matatini, the national organisation for kapa haka is discussing whether its festival should only allow whānau to attend who are vaccinated,  title defender Ngā Tūmanako became the first haka group to run its own vaccination programme.

This meant members could travel to the Maeva Nui festival in Rarotonga as New Zealand ambassadors before lockdown. 

A tutor and member of the defending champion Te Matatini rōpū, Ngā Tūmanako, Kawariki Morgan, says that having the rōpū completely vaccinated was vital to him and his sister Reikura, co-tutor of Ngā Tūmanako.

“As a kapa haka, as whānau, we have kids at our practice, we have our elders come to our practices, so we really saw the importance of protecting everyone,” he says.

Due to the pandemic, the popular kapa haka festival, Te Matatini, Herenga Waka, Herenga Tangata, has been postponed for the second time.

Te Matatini executives remain committed to hosting the next Matatini national kapa haka competition in Auckland next year. 

What was discussed at the Zooom hui were the actions and the planning for Te Matatini Herenga Waka, Herenga Tāngata ki roto o Tāmaki Mākaurau and the national board remains committed to continuing in Auckland, Te Matatini chairman Herewini Parata says.

Online poi attracting over 30,000 viewers in three days.  

Georgia Latu is the chief executive behind Pōtiki Poi, a business that makes, sells and distributes poi and earrings, while sharing mātauranga Māori. She’s also about to start selling a new book called Ngā Mihi, in partnership with creative agency Maui Studios.

The Auaha Challenge 2021 - Irarere focuses on raising awareness and educating communities around Aotearoa on the art of kapa haka while removing stereotypical barriers that face Māori and takatāpui every day.

Ngāi Tahu descendants have teamed up with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra to present the creation story.

Kapa haka exponent and teacher at Manutuke School Dayne Hollis says the subject should be compulsory for Māori students.

Tonight an art exhibition, called "Kirimaaku," will be launched.
 

Māori language and songs on the Aotearoa marae.