Finalists Chosen For Kapa Haka Showdown Today

Press Release
Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival 2007
Sunday 25 February 2007

FINALISTS CHOSEN FOR KAPA HAKA SHOWDOWN TODAY

Six finalists have been announced for Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival 2007’s finals today.

They are Te Whanau a Apanui, Te Waka Huia, Opotiki Mai Tawhiti, Tauira Mai Tawhiti, Ruatahuna Kakahu Mauku and Whangara Mai Tawhiti.

The six groups gave their ultimate performances on stage over the last two days to qualify for the finals with one of the groups breaking the stage.

Fourteen awards were handed out lastnight including best entrance song (Opotiki Mai Tawhiti), moteatea or traditional song (Whangara Mai Tawhiti), poi (Tauira Mai Tawhiti), best haka (Whangara Mai Tawhiti), best action song (Whangara Mai Tawhiti) and best exit song (Tauira Mai Tawhiti).

The judges deliberated for nearly two hours before the prizes and finalists were announced at 10 pm. Crowds were kept entertained by MCs Aroha Hathaway and Te Hamua Nikora and impromptu performances by judges and group leaders.

The final showdown starts this morning at 11.00 am at Arena Manawatu in Palmerston North with East Coast group Te Whanau a Apanui – the winners of the last competition.

The results from lastnight were:

Manukura Wahine/Female Leader
3) Opotiki Mai Tawhiti
2) Tu Te Manawa Maurea
1) Whangara Mai Tawhiti

Manukura Tane/Male Leader
3) Whangara Mai Tawhiti
2) Tauira Mai Tawhiti
1) Te Roopu Manutaki

Kakahu/Uniforms
3) Ruatahuna Kakahu Mauku
2) Ngati Poneke
1) Whangara Mai Tawhiti

Te Kairangi o te Reo/Language Excellence
3) Te Iti Kahurangi
2) Whangara Mai Tawhiti
1) Tauira Mai Tawhiti

Waiata a Tira/Action Song – Composition and originality
3) Te Iti Kahurangi
2) Te Waka Huia
1) Hatea

Haka –Composition and originality
3) Tamarau
2) Tu Te Maungaroa
1) Ruatahuna Kakahu Mauku

Poi –Composition and originality
3) Opotiki Mai Tawhiti
2) Tu Te Manawa Maurea
1) Te Whanau o te Kura

Waiata a Ringa – Composition and originality
3) Tamatea Arikinui
2) Ngati Poneke
1) Opotiki Mai Tawhiti

Ends

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