Te Matatini kapa haka competition begins in New Plymouth

Tuesday 25 February 2025 · 3 outlets · 9 reports · updated Tue 25 Feb 2025, 4:16pm

In this story Te Matatini

The Te Matatini national kapa haka championships have commenced at the Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth. More than 2,000 performers from 55 groups are scheduled to compete over five days. Large crowds and morning traffic jams were reported as spectators arrived early to secure seats for the opening day.

How they headlined it

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1. StuffTue 25 Feb 2025, 5:00am

   Te Kāhui Maunga welcomes Te Matatini as the gates open and the kapa haka festival begins (opens in new tab)

   • Te Matatini: The Hui on preparing for the Olympics of haka (opens in new tab) Tue 25 Feb 2025, 8:11am
   • Te Matatini champion on how to prepare for the pinnacle of kapa haka (opens in new tab) Tue 25 Feb 2025, 9:00am
   • Te Matatini begins in New Plymouth (opens in new tab) Tue 25 Feb 2025, 9:59am
   • A festival in full swing straight out of the blocks (opens in new tab) Tue 25 Feb 2025, 4:16pm
2. NZ HeraldTue 25 Feb 2025, 8:24am

   Te Matatini 2025: Historic pōwhiri in Taranaki opens largest Te Matatini festival (opens in new tab)

   • Te Matatini 2025 kicks off in New Plymouth with 2000 performers (opens in new tab) Tue 25 Feb 2025, 10:33am
3. RNZTue 25 Feb 2025, 9:31am

   Kapa haka crews take the stage for Te Matatini 2025 - day 1 (opens in new tab)

   • Traffic jams as Te Matatini competition begins (opens in new tab) Tue 25 Feb 2025, 2:40pm