Invercargill Kapa haka group, Te Kapa Haka o Ngā Hau e Whā, has won a place at the prestigious 2025 Te Matatini festival in New Plymouth, after placing fourth at last weekend's (27 Apr) regional competition in Christchurch.

CLICK HERE to listen to Metiria Light talk about the journey of Te Kapa Haka o Ngā Hau e Whā

Te Matatini, held biennially for Kapa haka groups from throughout Aotearoa and Australia, is considered the pinnacle of the Māori performing arts calendar.

The 40-strong on-stage group, all part of a mātāwaka community living in Murihiku Southland, had only been together for six months before performing their Kapa haka - which told the story of being a multi tribal community living outside of their own regions.

Te Kapa Haka o Ngā Hau e Whā. Photo: Nga Hau E Wha

Last weekend's performance was supported by a similar number of reserve performers as well as supporters and whanau, both present and online.

Kapa haka group initiator, tutor and on-stage female leader, Metiria Light, said it was not really heard of for a new Kapa to go straight in and qualify for Te Matatini.

"That's a quick achievement."

Light attributed the group's success to not just the level of commitment to the cause, both from the performers and their whanau, but also knowing that they were doing something greater for others.

She said Murihiku Southland hadn't seen senior representation at Te Matatini since 2000.

Te Kapa Haka o Ngā Hau e Whā. Photo: Nga Hau E Wha

The initative to form a Kapa haka group started just over a year ago, Light said, after a gathering of whanau had watched a Te Matatini festival online and recognised the potential benefits a local team could have for their community.

They identified not only health, wellbeing, capability and capacity benefits but also the potential to produce positive role models for their children, she said.

"We know that Kapa Haka isn't just about the performance on stage, it's really about living out that Maori concept of whanaungatanga - being connected to your culture, your identity, your community."

"A lot of our members have whakapapa, or genealogical ties, back to various iwi in the North Island and in the South Island."

"So [Kapa haka] was kind of another home, and a place that they could feel that they had that sense of belonging to just be Māori in a Māori space."

"It was [also] about bringing Te Reo Māori through compositions, a place to speak at, a place to learn if you weren't a speaker," Light said.

The group's 25 minute Kapa haka was made up of six original items - an entry chant or traditional song, an action song, a poi, a haka and an exit item - that all went towards the overall aggregate score.

"It's a long time, especially when you're singing and moving your body and being very versatile [and] physically active."

However Light said she had already seen some really good health benefits coming through.

"We've started to see people want to really be healthy, be the healthiest version they could be... healthy for Kapa haka... healthy for the workplace and also healthy in mind, body and spirit."

Light said the group was now taking a week to soak in the moment, rest and recover and be with whanau before regrouping for a debrief and a giveback day where they would perform their Kapa haka for whanau, the community and those who had contributed to the kaupapa/cause.

The Te Matatini festival, hosted by Te Kāhui Maunga (Taranaki / Whanganui), will be held in Ngāmotu New Plymouth in February 2025.

The overall winner earns the supreme title of Toa Whakaihuwaka.