Ehara taku toa i te toa taki tahi, engari he toa taki tini
My strength is not as an individual but as a collective.
Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga Festival 2025
Ngāti Whakaue, Te Arawa, champions |photo Te Matatini Enterprises
Te Kāhui Maunga, the collective tribes of Taranaki were host to Te Matatini, the largest biennial Kapa haka celebration in Aotearoa, held during the last week of February to the beginning of March.
Te Matatini, means “the many faces,” it is a tribute to a vast network of dedicated individuals who tautoko support the kapa haka. There are the choreographers, cooks, drivers, organisers, tā moko artists, wardrobe people, songwriters, musicians and many more. Together with the passion and commitment of the Kapa haka team, they create an unforgettable experience that celebrates the richness of Māori culture.
A powerful pōwhiri ceremony unfolded, featuring the distinctive Taranaki-style poi and drum rhythms that echoed the heartbeat of the people. This was shared by the Māori Queen, Ngāpwai hono i te pō, 55 Kapa haka rōpū and thousands of manuhiri guests.
Te Matatini provides a unique platform for kapa haka teams to share their traditions, history, whakapapa as well as current social and political issues. It strengthens whanaungatanga, builds teamwork and leadership skills, celebrates diversity and inclusion while promoting Kotahitanga unity, pride, revitilization of te reo Māori and cultural excellence.
In a thrilling finals day of intense rivalry and awe-inspiring performances, Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue, Te Arawa (Rotorua) emerged victorious as the Ihu Whakawaka, overall winner of Te Matatini 2025. Second and third places were taken by Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Te Arawa (Rotorua) and Ngā Tūmanako, Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland).
Liz Neill was at Te Matatini
Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025
I was very fortunate to be visiting Playcentres in the Taranaki region during the week of Te Matatini. I had secured a finals day ticket in advance and arranged to stay an extra day. The wairua of the whole region was amazing to be amongst. Everywhere I went I saw kapa, whānau and supporters, along with the manaakitanga and aroha of the region welcoming us all.
Playcentres carried Te Matatini into their centres for the week, with many te ao Māori reflections in both centre environment and invitations to play. Uku/Clay, mahi toi, natural resources and plenty of kōrero, waiata, poi, costumes and kapa haka. One centre had Te Matatini showing live on a phone, and one tamaiti in particular was fascinated that this was happening right now and we could watch from Playcentre.
After session on Wednesday I couldn’t wait any longer and headed to the venue, grabbed a gate ticket, and settled in to soak up an afternoon watching 6 kapa. Amazing doesn’t begin to describe it all. The power, emotion, skill and athleticism of the teams was phenomenal and I was mesmerised. It was wonderful also to hear all around me, kōrero i te reo Māori.
Returning for Saturday’s sold out final day was another whole level. The twelve finalist kapa. The place was packed and the energy high. Mīharo! It was such a privilege to be amongst, a stunning weather day, and I loved every minute of it all.
An added bonus was sharing a big Kia ora with well-known folk, Debbie Ngarewa Packer, Willie Jackson, Pere Wihongi and Dr Ruakere Hond. I am really keen now to watch more of the kapa that I didn’t see, rewatch several others to understand more of the stories within the brackets and to learn more about Te Kāhui Maunga and how that is reflected in our Taranaki Playcentres.
Ngā mihi nui, Liz Neill
PLD Team Playcentre Aotearoa
Te Kahu Huruhuru mō ngā Tamariki – Kākahu Kapa Haka
Kapa haka clothing
The origin and story of the kākahu kapa haka. The kākano seed was planted by Moana Warwood at Glen Innes Playcentre and the fruit were these taonga ātaahua, he tīpare ( headband) he tātua (a belt) he pari (a bodice dress).
“Ko te kukū o tōku manawa! These taonga tuku iho are exceptionally beautiful to me!”
Read more about these taonga o Playcentre
These items are available to purchase at the Playcentre shop Māori dressups
Spotify Lists
We’ve recently launched three new Spotify playlists!
Whakarongo mai! Waiata mai! Kanikani mai!
Playcentre – Waiata Tamariki (Children’s Songs): Playcentre spotify playlist
Playcentre – Waiata Katoa (Songs for everyone)
Playcentre – Poi and tī rākau
Te Haka a Tanerore
Bilingual Edition
By Reina Kahukiwa, Robyn Kahukiwa, Kiwa Hammond (Translated by)
Long ago, a boy named Tānerore loved to dance every day. See what happens when he dances his special dance for his mother. Winner of the Wright Family Foundation Te Kura Pounamu Award in the 2019 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, Te Haka a Tānerore tells the story of how the haka came to be such an important part of Māori heritage. Written by author Reina Kahukiwa – is of Te Arawa, Tūhoe, and Ngāti Porou descent. Illustrated by Robyn Kahukiwa – of Ngāti Porou descent. Kiwa Hammond – translated the original English text by Reina Kahukiwa into Te Reo Māori.
Call for papers; Amplifying Indigenous Voices in the Early Years
A special issue of the International Journal of Early Childhood (IJEC) is forthcoming, focusing on ‘Amplifying Indigenous Voices in the Early Years’.
Guest editors Associate Professor Mere Skerrett and Dr. Ngaroma Williams invite submissions that showcase innovative research, practices, and perspectives on Indigenous early childhood education.
This is an exciting opportunity for Playcentre voices to be heard on the global stage. Consider submitting a paper that shares your expertise, experiences, and insights.
Submission details: https://link.springer.com/collections/ebfhefbhej