The champions of Te Matatini 2025 Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue. Photo: Supplied / Te Matatini Enterprises
Te Matatini, the premier celebration of Māori performing arts, will be staged at Hopuhopu, Ngāruawāhia, from 22-27 February 2027.
The kapa haka festival will be co-hosted by Waikato-Tainui, Te Matatini and Te Whare Haka o Tainui Waka.
The pōwhiri to welcome performers and manuwhiri will take place on 22 February 2027 at Turangawaewae, followed by four days of preliminary competition from 23-26 February, with the Te Matangirua Finals Day to be held on 27 February 2027.
The mauri of the festival was passed from 2025 hosts Te Kāhui Maunga to Tainui during the recent Koroneihana celebrations of Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po.
Te Kāhui Maunga passes the mauri of Te Matatini to Tainui. Photo: Image courtesy of Te Tari o te Kiingitanga
Te Arataura o Waikato chairperson Tukoroirangi Morgan said Te Matatini would be a chance to bring a distinctly Tainui waka flavour to the event.
"Logistical preparations are well underway to deliver an event that will be unforgettable and with 64 marae and multiple accommodation facilities within one hour of the event, we are well equipped to cater for the motu in 2027," he said.
Te Matatini Heamana (chairman), Tā Herewini Parata said Te Matatini is looking forward to delivering a memorable festival together with Tainui in 2027.
"Te Matatini is the pinnacle of kapa haka excellence and a celebration of our people, language, and customs."
Te Whare Haka o Tainui chairperson Haani Huata-Allen said the excitement was building among kapa throughout the region.
"Our people have been preparing for this moment for a number of years, and we are primed ready to go," he said.
The build-up to the festival would start in 2026 with regional kapa haka competitions held across Aotearoa and Te Whenua Moemoeā (Australia), where teams will vie to stand on the Te Matatini stage to represent their rohe (regions).
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
