In 1998, Te Rōpū Haka O Kairanga was established to allow members to perform in the NZ Army’s inaugural cultural festival held in Waiouru in 1999. The name "Kairanga" was chosen for the group, drawing upon the significance of Linton Camp and its location pertaining to Ngāti Hineaute.
In 2006, Kairanga represented for the first time competing at the Te Mata Waiora Kapa Haka Regionals held in Palmerston North.
This proved to be a rewarding venture for the group as individuals were given the chance to perform competitively for the first time.
Today, Kairanga is made up of Defence personnel from Linton Army Camp and Ohakea Air Base. It also consists of dependants, partners, and children of serving and ex-serving soldiers; with all associated members having a connection through an ancestor who fought and served in years past.
A descriptive piece, using references to the Māori world view, that talks to the intense pain one feels at the death of a loved one in the first and, in the second, it gives words of encouragement to help one to release themselves from the clutches of sadness to rejoin the living.
Their waiata-ā-ringa is dedicated to the soldiers who have fallen in recent times while serving our country.
Te Kapa Haka o Kairanga is tutored by Pita Savage, Mark Te Hau and Nigo Maruera, and their leaders today are Pita Savage and Kelsi Te Peeti.