Te Matatini O Te Kāhui Maunga, Te Kāhui Tupua, Te Kāhui Wairua
In his opening address on the Māratahu Huakai grounds - Yellow Stadium, Ngāmotu Chairman of the National Matatini Society Tā Hirini Parata shared the Motu had received the message and witnessed the manner in which Te Kāhui Maunga extended a Poi Pōwhiri welcome with the utmost respect, dignity, and hospitality to its visitors.
An impressive lineup of poi manu dressed in 1860s colonial dress showcased the powerful poi manu message of welcome to the visitors. The performance captured the history, boundaries, waka, and prophetic messages of the Poropiti Māori from this region within Te Kāhui Maunga. The collective mountain ranges encompass the people and places extending from Ngāti Apa, Te Pā O Ngā Ariki at Ratana Pā in the south through to Ruapehu and to Te Maunga Titohea a Taranaki and the surrounding iwi of Taranaki, including manawhenua Ngāti Te Whiti.
The poi pōwhiri was followed by five days of intense kapa haka competition at Pukekura Park, with teams from around the country and Australia. The event was a huge success, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the National Matatini Society, Te Kāhui Maunga committee, and 700 dedicated Ringa Hāpai volunteers who ensured everything ran smoothly.
Volunteers, dressed in different coloured t-shirts, took on various roles, from ticketing and ushering to providing transport and catering for kaumātua. Their hard work and dedication were greatly appreciated by all attendees.
Tui Wichman said, “We never wanted for anything. Ringa Hāpai were always there for you”. Workers in orange t-shirts in the marketplace ensured those in tents were well taken care of. Green t-shirted people were responsible for the rubbish duties and parakore recycling. Blue t-shirted people worked the inside of the tents, Matakura, Matapū, Whakatairi, Kāhui Pahake.
Ringa Hāpai Patu Maruera, said “It was a real privilege for those of us who live away from home and contribute and help support this Kaupapa. And we are very grateful for our stay at the Mission House.”
The success of Te Matatini 2025 is a testament to the power of collective action and the strong sense of community the theme Te Kāhui Maunga, Te Kāhui Tupua, Te Kāhui Wairua invoked. This event brings significant economic benefits to the region and highlights the importance of cultural events in building community.
All three of our Methodist church sites in New Plymouth were used in some capacity to support the kaupapa of Te Matatini and we are grateful to the New Plymouth Samoan Methodist Parish for their continued support. We are also thankful for all the organisers, storeholders, and Kaihaka performers and their whānau supporters who were cooks, drivers, hosts on marae, motels and community hall workers. We acknowledge the many sponsors, broadcasters, Te Māngai Paho, Te Korimako o Taranaki, Māori TV and presenters who facilitated the media spaces and our own rangatahi using social media platforms to bring alive our kapa haka culture to the world.
We end with the whakataukī proverb Tā Herewini Parata used in his opening address. Mā wai e taurima te marae i waho rā?. Mā te tika, mā te pono, mā te aroha.
Who will tend to the places where we gather? We will, for we know it will be achieved through integrity, honesty, and a great love for one another.
All the people shown in the photos have been involved in organising committees, performing, running stalls, or are Ringa Hāpai volunteer workers for the Te Matatini O Te Kāhui Maunga.
