Off to the nationals

RICHARD EDMONDSON

NORTHERN FORCE: Kaitaia-based kapa haka group Muriwhenua came second overall at the Tai Tokerau senior kapa haka competition on Saturday.

KAPA HAKA groups from the Far North have stamped, shouted and sung their way to places at the world's biggest Maori performing arts competition for the first time in 26 years.

Kaitaia-based Muriwhenua was judged the second-best kapa haka group at the Tai Tokerau senior regional kapa haka competition in Whangarei on Saturday.

The group will represent Northland at the biennual Te Matatini national festival in Gisborne next year with winners Hatea and third-placed Te Puu Ao – both based in Whangarei.

Also going to the national festival, which attracts crowds of up to 25,000, is Kawakawa-based Te Whare o Puhi who won the kaitataki tane (male leader) section.

The last time groups from the Far North district represented Tai Tokerau at the national festival was in 1984.

Waitangi Cultural Society secretary Hone Mutu says the groups' successes were great achievements, given that a record 14 groups took part in the contest this year.

"It's a sign that the kapa haka scene is healthy."

Mr Mutu says Muriwhenua's leaders Chris Henare and Sandra Waitai could take a lot of credit for the success of the 40-member group, which was formed last year from men and women of Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri, Ngati Kuri, Ngati Kahu and Ngai Takoto.

"They've played a major role in the resurgence in kapa haka."

Northland College principal John Tapene has judged kapa haka contests for 23 years and was one of 12 judges at Kensington Stadium on Saturday.

He says they were impressed by the competitive attitude shown by Muriwhenua and Te Whare o Puhi – led by Tumamao Harawira and Stevie Taylor.

"They hit the stage running and never slowed down from start to finish."

Mr Tapene says the groups came to the competition with well-composed items which showed they had put in the time and energy to be single-minded in their performances.

"There was harmony in sound, actions and in the way the delivered their items.

"Both groups were a breath of fresh air."

But he says the four groups chosen to represent Tai Tokerau at Gisborne in February have a lot of hard work ahead of them if they are to meet national kapa haka standards.

This includes tidying up mistakes identified by judges, ensuring they use the full time allotted to them, performing pieces that reflect Tai Tokerau and taking the stage with a winning attitude.

"This is competition and nothing short of 100 percent commitment will get them through to the finals."

Competition results and photos P4-5

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