Rāmere 06 o Poutu-te-Rangi 2026 (06.03.2026) i tū te pōwhiri mō Te Kāhui Maunga Kapa Haka ā-Rohe ki runga o Te Whaitaranui a Wharematangi ki te kimi i tōna Matua i a Ngarue (Waitara, Waitara Bears League Fields) mō te wā tuatahi o tēnei whakataetae ā-rohe. He rā hei mau pupuru ki ngā raumahara o ā tātou nei raukura.
On the Friday 6th of March 2026, Whaitara held Te Kāhui Maunga Kapa Haka ā-Rohe for the first time in history. We (Te Mātā Puawaitanga) were very fortunate to have been invited to join such an amazing experience for our hāpori as we stood proud to welcome on Taranaki and Wanganui onto our whenua.
This kapa haka competition is a qualifying year for our adult groups to get to Te Matatini 2027 held in Waikato, Hopuhopu where the qualifying teams will face many other teams across the country including Australia groups.
Our local rōpū, Ngā Purapura o Te Tai’auāuru invited all local kura of Waitara to join in Powhiri proceedings as haukainga where we came together to learn our haka pōwhiri ready for this day. This is a first time experience for all our tamariki of Puawaitanga so it is definitely one to remember. Many of our kaihaka in Ngā Purapura were also students of Waitara East and the surrounding Waitara Schools. Infact, The current Kaitātaki Wahine of the mōtu (country), Aroha B.P was a student of Waitara East and so was the current 3rd place Kaitātaki tāne of our rohe, Matthew T.R which has since been great role models and inspiration for our tamariki mokopuna. Ngā Purapura o te Tai’auāuru are the champions of 2026 regional kapa haka competition who will be representing us all at Te Matatini ki Waikato in 2027.
Many of our whānau had also taken the stage this particular competition and done so well, me mihi ka tika ki koutou katoa ā tātou rangatira.
Although, the day was a scorcher, our tamariki were able to walk away with their heads held high with so much pride. Yes they were tired after the pōwhiri as it took 3 hours, however, they were inspired by their tuakana and still talk about the pōwhiri. Some of our tamariki hope to one day be in Ngā Purapura which is an inspiring goal.
We congratulate our pakeke rōpū Ngā Purapura and our many kapa rōpū who stood xxxx
Mauri tū, mauri ora ki tātou katoa.