Ngāti Whātua welcomed more than 1000 people to its rohe near Ōkahu Bay for Te Matatini 2023. Photo: RNZ / Shannon Haunui-Thompson
Pūtātara trumpeted across the shores of Ōkahu Bay on Auckland's waterfront as Ngāti Whātua welcomed more than 1000 people to its rohe for Te Matatini.
Haka groups from across the country have arrived in Tamaki Makaurau for the kapa haka competition, with the first performances due on Wednesday morning at Ngā Ana Wai/Eden Park.
Special mention was made at the pōwhiri for groups coming from regions heavily affected by Cyclone Gabrielle, Te Taitokerau, Te Tai Rāwhiti, and Ngāti Kahungunu.
But there was a sense of excitement among performers - who will take to the national stage for the first time in four years after a hiatus due to Covid-19.
Manawatū-based Te Tū Mataora group tutor Haimona Maruera said after the hiatus, his group was fizzing to take the stage.
"You know we're here, [it's] been a long few years, but te manako nui nei tātau e mahi ai i ngā āhuatanga o rātau mā ki te kainga e noho tonu nei."
The first performances for Te Matatini will be on Wednesday morning at Ngā Ana Wai/Eden Park. Photo: RNZ / Shannon Haunui-Thompson
But the long wait had also brought some nervousness.
"We've got a few newbies, nine actually, taking the stage for the first time, so yeah bring it. There's a saying 'don't get there, be there,' and that's our core. So that's us."
Other groups are confident the excitement of the ocassion will overide any nerves.
Aotea Utanganui performer Tamati Maruera said the wairua in their camp was good.
"There's a good mood in camp. He pai tō tātau wairua... ō te kapa nei. He pai ngā āhuatanga, kare he paku nervousness."
Forty five teams representing 13 regions within New Zealand and Australia will perform at Te Matatini Herenga Waka Herenga Tangata 2023 at Ngā Ana Wai/Eden Park over the next three days, with the top 12 groups perfroming on Saturday.
Performers say they are excited and nervous at the same time to return to the national stage. Photo: RNZ / Shannon Haunui-Thompson
