Te Matatini brings dynamic Māori culture to Wellington

Te Matatini brings Aotearoa’s dynamic Māori culture to Wellington

Aotearoa’s vibrant and dynamic Māori culture will be front and centre stage at the biennial Te Matatini festival taking place in Wellington for the first time in 20 years, Bernadette Cavanagh Chief Executive Manatū Taonga, Ministry for Culture and Heritage said today.

Aotearoa’s vibrant and dynamic Māori culture will be front and centre stage at the biennial Te Matatini festival taking place in Wellington for the first time in 20 years, Bernadette Cavanagh Chief Executive Manatū Taonga, Ministry for Culture and Heritage said today.

“Te Matatini ki te Ao 2019 is a fantastic opportunity for New Zealanders and visitors alike to see Māori culture and performing arts at their finest,” Bernadette Cavanagh says.

“Kapa haka brings our nation’s stories to life connecting people and places with our unique Māori heritage. Manatū Taonga is proud to support Te Matatini as its core funder.
“Kapa haka makes a significant contribution to New Zealand’s national identity and how we are seen internationally. It also has an important role in Māori language renewal throughout the country.

“Festival goers will be experiencing Te Mita Tini (Te Matatini’s Māori language strategy) first-hand with the use of te reo Māori encouraged by the many stall holders in the event village.

“As well as running the festival, Te Matatini Society supports and develops competitions for kapa haka in the regions including in schools and has a positive role in youth leadership programmes.

“Additionally, we know kapa haka has important social, economic and cultural benefits and research also tells us kapa haka encourages healthy lifestyles and has a powerful effect on educational outcomes.

“Up to 65,000 tickets are expected to be sold over the four-day festival hosted by Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga and Te Atiawa me ngā iwi o Taranaki whānui.

“This huge participation and spectator involvement with a total of 46 teams from across Aotearoa and Australia show the ongoing value and growth of kapa haka.
“My best wishes and thanks to every competitor for sharing their talent and experience with New Zealand and the world.

“Kapa haka is an all-inclusive activity and I encourage young and old to get along to this whānau friendly event and to visit us in our tent on the site,” Bernadette Cavanagh said.

Ends

© Scoop Media