Tauranga Moana’s Kapa Haka ‘Tūtara Kauika Ki Rangataua’ honoured their founder Awanuiarangi Black with a haka tribute today.
Kaitātaki Tāne of the group, Maia Wharekura says Awanuiarangi Black committed over twenty years of his life to Tutara Kauika Ki Rangataua. “His dream of getting the group on to the National Kapa Haka stage, Te Matatini took 20 years, he was alive to see that come true, now it’s our turn to continue that legacy.”
Tutara Kauika Ki Rangataua will take the stage at the next Te Matatini held in Hawke’s Bay in February, Maia says the kapa will keep Awanuiarangi’s memory close to their heart when they take the stage.
A contingent of the elite Māori language group, Te Panekiretanga and groups from Auckland including Dr Pita Sharples converged on to Te Whetu o Te Rangi Marae to pay respects to the Ngāti Pukenga leader. A group of Māori warriors accompanied them leed by Paora Sharples.