Three hundred elders from throughout the country will take part in the Kaumatua Kapa Haka event being held in Wellington.
The two-day hui, with 10 teams performing on stage, will be held at Te Papa Tongarewa this weekend.
The festival highlights Matariki - the Maori new year. It encourages elders to keep active and also celebrates the elements of performing arts which were composed before 1970.
Bill Nathan, who is a member of Wellington group Ngati Poneke Pakeke, said his team was excited about taking the stage.
He said he wished his group, comprising 20 people from their early 50s to 98, had another few weeks to practice but that the team was raring to go nonetheless.
The roopu was looking forward to performing and seeing the performances by other groups, Mr Nathan said.
It is the seventh year the event has been held.
