Waipā’s Mōtai Tangata Rau celebrated a major win at the Tainui Waka Cultural Festival 2024 in Hamilton last weekend.
The competition, which attracted thousands of kapa haka fans and a final tally of 20 teams, was staged at the Claudelands event centre.
Kaitātaki (lead female) Ngahuia Kopa, the wife of Mōtai Tangata Rau leader Paraone Gloyne pictured during the festival. She is flanked by Rangipurei Manley (left) and Atarangi Manley. Photos: Tainui Waka Kapa Haka Festival 2024
Ao Māori presenter Peata Melbourne said the Ngāti Raukawa group told stories of their ancestors in te reo Māori with excellence. The group’s colonia era costume included rau huia – huia feathers, representing the times of King Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, the first Māori king, she said.
The leader of Mōtai Tangata Rau is Paraone Gloyne from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.
“It’s always an exciting time when the Tainui competition comes around, not only for the participating kapa haka, but their support crew and whānau who have all contributed to getting them on stage to represent who they are and where they are from,” he said prior to the festival.
He described kapa haka as a testing lifestyle, but also life changing.
“There are multitudes of people who have been inspired to connect with their marae, and learn te reo and tikanga Māori because of kapa haka.
“Our Tainui competition is an opportunity to unite, celebrate the stories of Tainui and champion our reo and tikanga through kapa haka.”
Political sentiments have always been explored through the Māori performing arts.
Melbourne said another group, Te Pou o Mangataawhiri, used the stage to express concerns about the government, with the metaphor of a game of uka (euchre). This included the line ‘He mahi māminga, he mahi nanakia, he mahi rūkahu hoki’ (devious, scheming, and false).
Mōtai Tangata Rau will be one of five Tainui teams to compete in the national kapa haka competition, Te Matatini in New Plymouth next February.
Keoghan O’Brien was in full flow for Mōtai Tangata Rau at Claudelands last weekend
