The stirring sounds of haka roared through the Auckland waterfront yesterday as culture groups battled it out for kapa haka supremacy.

Large crowds of spectators revelled in the atmosphere as wide-eyed and culturally proud performers took to the stage at The Cloud for the Kapa Haka Super 12s competition.

The crowd included groups of foreign tourists as well as locals, including supporters who had travelled from regions outside Auckland to support their cultural crews.

The competition featured 12 teams of 12 performers battling for a share of $10,000 cash and other prizes.

Chey Milne said he had watched the Kapa Haka Super 12s in Gisborne previously and would leave The Cloud impressed with what he had witnessed.

"The standard has been pretty good, so yeah, I'm pretty pleased," he said. "There's a good mix of local people, tourists and a good mix of young and old people who are here as well. I've also seen a good mix of experienced Super 12s people and totally brand new Super 12s as well."

Milne said he was a big supporter of the Kapa Haka Super 12s.

He was not supporting one group in particular as he had a few friends in a number of different groups.

Shaneeta Kumar, from Auckland, said: "The standard is really awesome. It's beautiful, really beautiful."

Englishmen James Lutynski, from Newcastle, added: "I've really enjoyed the passion in the performances. The energy is amazing."

- © Fairfax NZ News