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Indigenous | Kapa haka

Kākahu on stage as important as off-stage

Te Matatini kapa haka uniforms play a significant role in the performance and the history of the group, whether they are on or off-stage.

Tamati Waaka is of Te Whānau a Apanui and says their t-shirts are yellow, just like their netball and rugby clubs in the East Coast.

“When our parents were playing rugby and netball, their t-shirts were always yellow and so we have taken that colour and used it to represent them in our haka team.”

While the group's yellow t-shirts are an awesome part of their uniform, they do not wear them on stage, according to Waaka.


Looking the part, everywhere they go - together.

He believes people shouldn't forget that off-stage t-shirts also carry a major part of the group's identity.

“He manu kai runga, ā, ko te manu nei ko Korotau, he manu kōrero, ā, ko te manu tēnei e kīa nei Te Apanui Ringamutu."

Every group has its differences, especially when it comes to representing their whānau and wearing different uniforms.

According to Te Pikikōtuku o Ngāti Rongomai, this is the first time they have changed their off-stage uniforms in a long time.

Renata Curtis is of Te Pikikōtuku o Ngāti Rongomai and says although the team have altered the style of their off-stage uniforms, their symbol and design are the representation of their home and their people of Te Arawa.

“This feather signifies our meeting house, Ngā Pūmanaa e Waru o Te Arawa and our ancestors from Te Arawa, Te Pikikōtuku.”

“No matter where or how far we are from home, we will always have Ngā Pūmanawa e Waru o Te Arawa, with us.”