Te Matatini Day 5 Begins With 12 Groups Remaining

Saturday, 1 March 2025, 2:48 pm
Article: RNZ

Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira, Māori news journalist

The final day of Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga has begun and hundreds of spectators were so keen for the they started lining up at 3am, four hours before the gates opened.

Only 12 of the 55 kapa who performed this week remain and it is their chance to wow the judges once more and claim haka glory.

Pukekura or the Bowl of Brooklands is heaving under the weight of a sold out event - around 15,000 people in total.

First up this morning was Mōtai Tangata Rau from Tainui, followed by Te Arawa kapa Te Pikikōtuku o Ngāti Rongomai.

Five-time champions Te Waka Huia from Tāmaki Makaurau were on third followed by the star-studded Mātaatua kapa Te Taumata o Apanui.

The overall winner of Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga will be announced later tonight.

The new Kohine Ponika "People's Choice" award has also seen spectators surging to the Te Matatini app for vote their favourite kapa.

© Scoop Media

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