PĀNUI
NEWS
He Waka Tapu @ Te Matatini 2026.
07 / 01 / 2026
This year, Te whānau whānui o He Waka Tapu will take to the stage as a Ngāhau, non-competing rōpū for the second time at the regional kapa haka heats. While not entering the competitive pathway to Te Matatini, their presence is no less significant. Ngāhau rōpū play a vital role within the regional kaupapa, performing for whakangahau, strengthening cultural connection, and creating space for participation without the pressure of qualification.
In the 2026 regional cycle, Ngāhau rōpū appear across the motu, often opening or closing sessions and performing during judging deliberations. Freed from the constraints of the compulsory six competitive items, these groups are able to explore mōteatea, waiata, and performance styles that prioritise expression, tikanga, and connection over scoring. For many rōpū, this pathway allows performers to stand confidently in their culture, on the stage, and within their own whakapapa.
For Te Whānau Whānui o He Waka Tapu, kapa haka is an extension of the kaupapa that already lives within the organisation. It is a space where kaimahi, whānau, and community come together not for titles or trophies, but for unity, expression, and collective strength. Performing as a Ngāhau rōpū reflects a deliberate choice to centre wellbeing, participation, and cultural continuity.
The influence of kapa haka on wellbeing is well established, both within Māori communities and through lived experience. Kapa haka acts as a gateway into Te Ao Māori, enabling people to reconnect with te reo Māori, tikanga, pūrākau, and whakapapa. This sense of cultural identity and belonging strengthens mana and provides a protective foundation for mental and emotional wellbeing.
"Just as importantly, kapa haka is intergenerational. It allows mātauranga to be passed from pākeke to tamariki and rangatahi, ensuring that taonga tuku iho remain living practices rather than distant knowledge. This continuity strengthens whānau bonds and affirms the collective responsibility to carry culture forward"
Whanaungatanga sits at the heart of kapa haka. Rehearsals, performance, and shared kaupapa foster trust, accountability, and collective responsibility. These relationships create safe, supportive environments where individuals are held by the group, not judged by it. For whānau navigating stress, disconnection, or pressure, this collective energy becomes a powerful source of resilience.
Kapa haka also supports physical and emotional health. The discipline, stamina, and movement required build strength and fitness, while the performance itself offers a healthy outlet for emotion.
Through haka, waiata, and mōteatea, performers are able to express grief, pride, joy, resistance, and hope in ways that words alone often cannot. This collective expression supports wairua and provides a form of release that is both grounding and uplifting.
For rangatahi in particular, kapa haka offers a strength-based environment that nurtures confidence, leadership, and identity. It provides positive role models, clear expectations, and a sense of achievement rooted in culture rather than comparison. For many, it becomes a place of belonging during critical stages of growth.
Te Whānau Whānui o He Waka Tapu standing as a Ngāhau rōpū is a reflection of these values in action. It is about showing up, standing together, and honouring culture as a source of wellbeing, not competition. In doing so, the rōpū embodies what kapa haka has always been at its core: a living, breathing practice that sustains the health and vitality of whānau, hapū, and iwi.
