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Kaihaka perform at at Te Hoenga Waka Kapa Haka Festival.

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Kaihaka perform at Te Hoenga Waka Kapa Haka Festival. Photo credit: Becki Moss

Karanga maha shine at Northern region kapa haka festival

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By The D*List

Five Northern region kapa haka rōpu gathered last week for Te Hoenga Waka Kapa Haka Festival.

  • Karanga maha shine at Northern region kapa haka festival
    The D*List
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  • In a distinctive fusion, five kapa haka rōpu (Te Hauāuru o Tāmaki, Ngā Taonga o te Puna, Te Raki Paewhenua, Te Roopu Hinengaro o Kaute and Te Roopu Atawhai o Te Tai-tokerau) came together last week to celebrate northern regions’ Te Hoenga Waka Kapa Haka festival. As the penultimate of four regional events being run this year by the national Māori Advisory Group for IDEA services Te Anga Pāua o Aotearoa, there are aspirations to host a national level event sometime next year.

    The D*List were honoured to be welcomed by whānau from Te Hauāuru o Tāmaki (Ngā Puhi and Te Piringatahi marae) into their rehearsal a few weeks ago but also got to experience their October 26th performance at the Northern region event held in The Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna in Tāmaki Makaurau.

    For many, the kaupapa of Te Hoenga Waka Kapa Haka is more than just a display of cultural performance – it is a powerful expression of mana and a celebration of Te Ao Māori kaupapa and kotahitanga for all people. Where whānau hauā notwithstanding their nerves or uncertainties – can contribute to a collective voice that still resonates long after the final applause.

    The festival was born out of a kaupapa to “grow cultural capacity throughout the organisation [IDEA services] – not just through Māori performing arts, but being Māori" and has been one of unity for many kaihaka and whānau “who often live far away from their tribal areas, whānau and iwi", says festival organiser and IDEA Services’ kaitakawaenga, Taki Peeke.

    Although the following photo essay by award-winning visual storyteller Becki Moss heavily features the experience of Te Rōpu o te Hauāuru o Tāmaki performance and the Northern Region, The D*List would like to mihi to all rōpu across the motu, their kaimahi, and whānau who are and continue to be the unwavering backbone of this important event.

    You can watch the full live recording of the Northern Region festival on YouTube here, or you can learn more about the journey of this kaupapa via this 2021 Marae TV’s story on event organiser Taki Peeke and Te Rōpu Ngā Taonga o Puna here.

Image description: A large audience in a darkly-lit theatre watch the festival with captivated expressions at Te Hoenga Waka Kapa Haka Festival.

  • A large audience in a darkly-lit theatre watch performers at Te Hoenga Waka Kapa Haka Festival.

Image description: A group of kaihaka, their kaiako and supporters are standing in a group backstage, getting ready. They are wearing tīpare and some male performers are shirtless. There is a sense of anticipation in the air.

  • A group of kaihaka are backstage getting ready to go on stage, they are wearing tīpare and some male performers are shirtless.

Image description: Heather Coburn has ta moko applied to her chin by her Kaiwhakaako. She looks proud. 

  • A kaihaka is having a stick-on ta moko applied to her chin.

Image description: Ellen Armstrong has ta moko applied to her chin by her Kaiwhakaako. Other members of the rōpu gather in the background, getting ready. 

  • A kaihaka is having a stick-on ta moko applied to her chin.

Image description: A close-up of Ellen Armstrong from the previous photograph with ta moko applied; they are looking straight at the camera with an uncompromising expression.

  • A close-up of a kaihaha with ta moko; they are looking straight at the camera with a serious expression.

Image description: Dylan Manuel wearing a tīpare with ta moko on his chin does a pukana to the camera. It is clear he is excited to perform.

  • A kaihaka wearing a tīpare with ta moko on his chin does a pukana.

Image description: A group of kaihaka huddle and practice backstage. They're wearing various traditional garments including tīpare and a feather korowai.

  • A group of kaihaka are practicing their moves backstage. The performers are wearing various garments including tīpare and a feather korowai.

Image description: The kaihaka of Te Rōpu o te Hauāuru o Tāmaki walk downstairs and make their way towards the stage.

  • The kaihaka of Te Rōpu o te Hauāuru o Tāmaki walk downstairs.

Image description: Teresa Nicol (Ngāi Tahu) shares a hug backstage as their rōpū gets ready to go on the stage.

  • A kaihaka shares a hug backstage as everyone gets ready to go on the stage.

Image description: Kaiwhakaako Mary Bradfield has a guitar over her shoulder and talks to the rōpū members, as they wait for the current group to finish performing.

  • Kapa Haka D List Becki Moss 35

Image description: The rōpū members line up and anxiously wait in the wings of the stage. They are ready to go, and awaiting the call to move on to the stage. 

  • The rōpū members line up and anxiously wait in the wings of the stage.

Image description: The rōpū members line up, with Elaine Havea holding a photograph of Lena Zhang Harrap, who was an important part of their group until her life was tragically taken in 2021.

  • The rōpū members line up, with one kaihaka holding a photograph of Lena Zhang Harrap.

Image description: Performer Teresa Nicol stands alone on a stage underneath purple lights. She calls to her rōpu as they enter stage left to join alongside her.

  • A rōpū member stands alone on a stage underneath purple lights.

Image description: The members of Te Rōpu o te Hauāuru o Tāmaki perform on stage with pink poi. They look focused, excited and happy to be singing together. 

  • The kaihaka of Te Rōpu o te Hauāuru o Tāmaki perform on stage with pink poi.

Image description: The kaihaka of Te Rōpu o te Hauāuru o Tāmaki perform on stage with poi. The photo is black and white. Members of the rōpu are looking at each other, twirling poi, and singing.

  • The kaihaka of Te Rōpu o te Hauāuru o Tāmaki perform on stage with poi. The photo is black and white.

Image description: Ta’a Patanga performs a passionate haka. He has his arms outstretched, looking fiercely into the crowd. 

  • A kaihaka performs a haka very passionately.

Image description: Tane members of the rōpū perform a haka. Their arms are raised in the air, and their expressions are fierce. The photo is black and white.

  • The rōpū members do a haka. The photo is black and white.

Image description: Ta’a Patanga poses on stage following the haka, surrounded by other tane. He looks proud of his performance, as the crowd applauds.

  • A kaihaka poses on stage; he looks proud of his performance.

Image description: Backstage of Te Hoenga Waka Kapa Haka Festival shows multiple screens, audio equipment and other technology used to create the conditions for the performers on stage.

  • Backstage of Te Hoenga Waka Kapa Haka Festival shows a screen with performers on stage.

Image description: IDEA Services' Kaitakawaenga, Taki Peeke, stands backstage wearing a headset with mic and a black suit.

  • Taki Peeke wears a full face of ta moko, a headset with mic and a black suit.

  • 📸 Photo credit: Becki Moss 

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