Te Wharekura o Hoani Waititi Marae represent the Tāmaki Makaurau rohe and this is their eighth time competing on the national stage.
The kapa haka was established in 1995 by Hare Rua and the families of the kura and marae to assist in maintaining te reo rangatira and tikanga Māori.
The tutors this year are Anaru and Terina Hetaraka, Dr Jennifer Martin, Ann Berry-Tumoana, Merearihi Pipi-Takoko and Nopera Toma.
The kaitātaki wahine this year is Makaira Berry and the kaitātaki tāne is Hākopa Martin.
The performance is dedicated to all those who have supported the group and the kura, it also pays tribute to Hoani Waititi Marae and those who have passed.
Here is their whakaeke which emphasises the importance of maintaining te reo Māori and instilling that knowledge and its importance into the minds and hearts of future generatons.