Hātea Kapa Haka is the first group to represent the Tai Tokerau region at this year's Te Matatini 2015 festival. Today they paid homage to a Ngāti Hine matriarch who resides in Christchurch, Tihi Puanaki, affectionately known as Whaea Tihi, in their waiata ā-ringa.
This year, group tutors are Pauline, Joby, Otene and Marcia Hopa, with David Tapene.
The membership is drawn from the whānau of their marae and extends to others who reside in Whangarei, as well as those who travel home from further afield.
Hātea are well-known for their melodic voices with many anticipating their waiata tira following their successes in the choral section of the national competitions in 2007 and 2011.
Hātea also won "Te Taonga ā Te Rōpū Waiata Māori o Aotearoa" for the best choral performance at Te Matatini 2013 held in Rotorua.
Here is Hātea and their waiata ā-ringa from last year's regional:
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