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National | Te Matatini

Group numbers increase at this year’s Ngāti Kahungunu Kapa Haka festival

The Ngāti Kahungunu Kapa Haka festival took place today in Hastings. Today determined who the four groups are to go through to the National Te Matatini Festival next year in February.

They are no strangers to this kapa haka competition and today, groups such as Waipatu Marae hoped that there would be a greater number of groups from Kahungunu this year who will go through to Te Matatini.

According to the chairman of kapa haka in this area, Tama Huata, in recent years there has been an increase in the number of groups performing.

Ngāti Kahungunu Rūnanga Chair, Ngāhiwi Tomoana, describes Ngāti Kahungunu haka as being the essence of their unique language and customs.

Of all the groups, four will advance to Te Matatini.

They will take with them the hopes and aspirations of Ngāti Kahungunu.