Te Tū Mataora continue reign as Rangitāne kapa haka champs

Three kapa haka have qualified for Te Matatini 2027 following the Rangitāne regional kapa haka competition held in Palmerston North.

Longstanding regional champions Te Tū Mataora took out the event to continue their reign.

Established in 2008, the veteran group’s win solidifies their new era with a third generation of tutors taking over the helm. They made reference to the changing of the guard in their first-equal placing poi, in what was a solid and strong performance overall.

Te Tini a Rehua and Te Whirikōkō o Rangitāne were named second and third respectively.

Established in 2017, Te Tini a Rehua came in with a sharp performance, placing first in both the whakaeke (entry) and haka items.

This is the second regional appearance for Te Whirikōkō o Rangitāne who made the national competition for the first time last year. They brought a fresh and modern perspective to the stage with their kākahu, theatrical elements, and movements.

The Rangitāne event is one of two kapa haka regional competitions held today with Tainui results still to come.

Nine groups took to the stage at Fly Palmy Arena-Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North, to put three groups through to the nationals.

Tū Mai Aorangi made their performance count, taking a message onstage for Māori to vote. Performers wore a variety of kākahu, showing individual styling, and flew flags, including the Tino Rangatiratanga flag, the flag of Hawai’i, and the Australian Indigenous flag.

While the absence of Dannevirke-based competitive group Te Ringa Kaha was felt at this year's event, many of their performers represented in other kapa, including the non-competitive groups of Te Riu o Tāmaki and Te Ringa Whanake o Tamaki nui a Rua.

Te Kapa Tautoko, whose name translates to mean ‘support group’, was brought together two weeks ago after a call was made for people to stand in order to make up numbers for three qualifying spots at Te Matatini. Despite their short run up, the group put in a confident performance.

Kapa haka’s accessibility was also highlighted with some performers using mobility aids, including a mobility scooter and a man on crutches.

1 Te Tū Mataora

2 Te Tini a Rehua

3 Te Whirikōkō o Rangitāne

1 Te Tini o Rehua

2 Te Tū Mataora

3 Te Whirikōkō o Rangitāne

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-Te Whirikōkō o Rangitāne

-Te Tū Mataora

3 Te Tini o Rehua

1 Te Tū Mataora

2 Te Tini o Rehua

3 Te Whirikōkō o Rangitāne

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-Te Tini o Rehua

-Te Tū Mataora

3 Te Whirikōkō o Rangitāne

1 Te Tini o Rehua

2 Te Tū Mataora

3 Te Whiirkōkō o Rangitāne

1 Te Tū Mataora

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3 Te Whirikōkō o Rangitāne

1 Te Tū Mataora

2 Te Whirikōkō o Rangitāne

3 Te Tini o Rehua

1 Te Tini o Rehua

3 Te Tū Mataora

3 Te Whirikōkō o Rangitāne

1 Te Tū Mataora

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1 Te Tū Mataora

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1 Te Tū Mataora

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2 Te Tini o Rehua

1 Te Tū Mataora

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1 Te Tū Mataora

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3 Te Whirikōkō o Rangitāne

1 Te Tū Mataora

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3 Te Whirikōkō o Rangitāne

1 Te Tū Mataora

3 Te Tini o Rehua

3 Te Whirikōkō o Rangitāne