15/11/2024
Te Matatini National Kapahaka Aotearoa, Te Kāhui Maunga Society Inc, and Ngā Iwi o Taranaki, are proud to announce Pukekura/Bowl of Brooklands, Ngāmotu/New Plymouth as the venue to host Te Matatini on 25 February to 1 March 2025.
Tā Selwyn Parata, Chair of Te Matatini Kapahaka Aotearoa, says the venue and city of Ngāmotu/New Plymouth is perfect to host this premier event.
“We have come, and we have listened to Te Kāhui Maunga, and as a Board, Te Matatini are unanimous in our support that the world’s largest kapa haka festival will be hosted at Pukekura/Bowl of Brooklands, in Ngāmotu/New Plymouth. Since bringing the Mauri of Te Matatini to Rātana Pā, near Whanganui, in April this year, and having been received by our hosts and walking through potential venues, we have been privileged to feel the spirit of the land, and the spirit of the people.”
Te Matatini was last held in the Te Kāhui Maunga rohe (formerly Aotea rohe) in 1994 in Te Hāwera.
Dr Rāwiri Tinirau, māngai for Te Kāhui Maunga – the representative organisation of the senior kapa haka groups for the Te Kahui Maunga rohe – is excited for the return of Te Matatini to the rohe.
“We look forward to bringing our Aotea, Kurahaupō, and Tokomaru waka together, to ensure we manaaki our whanaunga and manuhiri under the watchful eye of our tupuna maunga.”
Liana Poutu, representative of Ngā Iwi o Taranaki says the collaboration by iwi has been instrumental in supporting Te Matatini come to this decision.
“Ngā Iwi o Taranaki are committed to supporting Te Kāhui Maunga to deliver a successful Te Matatini in 2025. Nau mai e te Matatini, ko Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga, haere mai e Te Matatini, ko Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Tupua, e rarau e Te Matatini, ko Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Wairua.“
Rāwiri and Liana are also both members of Te Pae Manukura o Te Kahui Maunga (2025 host committee).
This four-day event is a significant cultural festival and the pinnacle event for Māori performing arts. Held every two years, it is one of the most highly anticipated events for performers, their whānau and the masses of passionate kapa haka fans throughout the world.
Te Matatini draws thousands of people in person and over 1.8 million watching online. For many, it is a chance to not only experience kapa haka excellence, but to also reconnect with friends, whānau and te ao Māori.
Since the Festival’s inception in 1972, the event has been held at 25 different venues across the country.
