National kapa haka events funded

6:57 pm on 1 November 2020

The national body for kapa haka has received funding to run a series of performances across the country next year.

Te Whanau-ā-Apanui at Te Matatini.

Te Whanau-ā-Apanui at Te Matatini 2019. Photo: Te Matatini

It comes after the biennual national kapa haka festival, Te Matatini, was postponed until 2022 due to uncertainty about Covid-19.

However, Te Matatini has now received funding from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage to run 12 ngāhau, or non-competitive kapa haka events across the country.

Chairman Selwyn Parata said they were grateful for the funding which would uplift the spirits of Māori.

Fans have been braving the wet weather at Te Matatini at the stadium in Wellington today as the kapa haka competition closes in on the finals.

Thousands attended the last Te Matatini in Wellington, in 2019. Photo: RNZ / Ana Tovey

Te Matatini also received the Best Arts/Cultural Event at the New Zealand Event Awards on Tuesday.

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