Events

TE MATATINI 2019

Since the end of Te Matatini 2017 Te Kahu o Te Amorangi, the mauri has taken up residence here in Te Whanganui a Tara and is currently placed at Waiwhetu Marae. The Wellington Māori Cultural Society is excited to join our local iwi to tackle the challenge of hosting the next festival here in our backyard. 

 HAKA IN THE PARK 2018

Haka in the Park is the rohe’s prestigious biennial event that determines our rohe representatives to Te Matatini. The new region format began in 2014 to which we had approximately four thousand people attend. In 2016, the gates clocked over ten thousand, and as we head towards hosting Te Matatini 2019, we are expecting Haka in the Park 2018 to increase considerably as the excitement and enthusiasm in Te Whanganui a Tara escalates.

 The Wellington Māori Cultural Society is currently preparing for Haka in the Park 2018 to be held at Te Whiti Park, Waiwhetu on the 3^rd of February 2018. 

KAUMĀTUA KAPA HAKA 2017

It’s always a pleasure to sit and observe the natural beauty and eloquence of our kui and kaumātua performing kapa haka. Every year during Matariki hundreds of people flock to Te Papa to watch approximately 500 kaumātua who have gathered from all around the motu sing and perform waiata of old, keeping alive the compositions of the all-time great Māori composers of yester years.

Kapa haka in Wellington has a relatively old history and our rohe is very lucky to still have with us some of the oldest remaining kapa haka stalwarts of all time. Below is a photo of Valerie Collins, a dedicated and honoured member of Ngāti Poneke receiving an award for having participated in every Kaumātua Kapa Haka since it began 10 years ago.  

 ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO IN TE WHANGANUI A TARA 2016

200 performers from around the motu gathered in Te Whanganui a Tara to perform at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. This was a spectacular event that included performers from top kapa haka groups including Te Whānu a Apanui, Opōtiki Mai Tawhiti, Te Waka Huia, Te Iti Kahurangi and local groups Ngā Taonga Mai Tawhiti, Tū Te Maungaroa and Ngā Uri o Tamarau.

 This iconic event held over four days at the Westpac Stadium was a spectacular showcase of Highland dancers, Scottish military bands, pipes and drums with a touch of kapa haka flavour.  The four-day prestigious event turned out to be a highlight for members of our local teams as they were primed with the opportunity to stand and perform with their role models.