During her first kauhau, Te Arikinui Kuina Nga wai hono i te po said she will work to ensure that the progress her late father Kiingi Tuhetia strived for doesn't lose momentum. Photo: Image courtesy of Te Tari o te Kiingitanga
The mauri of Te Matatini has been passed from Te Kāhui Maunga to Waikato as early preparations begin for the next kapa haka festival in 2027.
Te Kāhui Maunga, the hosts of the last Matatini in Taranaki, brought the mauri to Ngāruawāhia to coincide with the first Koroneihana celebrations of Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po.
Kiingitanga spokesperson Rahui Papa said the handing over of the mauri was the first step of the planning and organisation for Te Matatini.
"It's going to be a time to acknowledge Te Kāhui Maunga and really to lift a burden off their shoulders and place it squarely and fairly inside Tainui waka."
When asked if he planned to perform in 2027 Papa's response was an emphatic "hell no".
"I can barely walk around Koroneihana my steps are so high now, but doing a 30 minute performance oh my gosh, they'll give me a heart attack."
Te Kāhui Maunga the hosts of the last Matatini in Taranaki brought the mauri to Ngāruawāhia to coincide with the first Koroneihana celebrations of Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po. Photo: Image courtesy of Te Tari o te Kiingitanga
Te Matatini chair Selwyn Parata said it was the choice of Tainui to bring the mauri to the Koroneihana and Te Matatini and Te Kāhui maunga were happy to support.
"Te Kāhui Maunga has come in full force and all the rohe (regions) of Te Matatini are here to support this occasion."
Te Arikinui herself was a stellar haka performer, Parata said.
"Not just a kaihaka, an expert kaihaka mō te taha wāhine."
Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po attends the handing over of the Te Matatini mauri. Photo: Pokere Paewai/RNZ
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