Te Matatini 2025

The story so far

A cyclist died after a collision with a vehicle on State Highway 29 near Matamata on 2 January 2025, and the holiday road toll reached 12 that day.^{2 Jan 2025} Police later identified the cyclist as a 69-year-old former dairy farmer from New Plymouth, and a funeral was held in that city.^{13 Jan 2025} The Te Matatini kapa haka national competition was held at the Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth from 25 February to 1 March 2025, the first time in over 30 years in the region.^{21, 24 Feb 2025} Preparations included Taranaki gardeners growing potatoes for performers and a Hāwera caterer hiring extra staff to feed about 2,500 people daily.^{6, 19 Feb 2025} Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue from Te Arawa won the title, with Ngāti Rangiwewehi second and Ngā Tūmanako third, and the sold-out final drew about 15,000 people.^{26, 28 Feb 2025; 1, 4 Mar 2025}

Latest

Te Matatini released four albums of 53 songs from the festival, with each group choosing one track.^{15 Mar 2025}

Key moments

1. 2 Jan 2025Cyclist dies after crash on State Highway 29 near Matamata.
2. 13 Jan 2025Police identify the cyclist; the crash location is given as Hopkins Road.
3. 21 Feb 2025Te Matatini announced for the Bowl of Brooklands, New Plymouth, 25 February to 1 March.
4. 24 Feb 2025Te Matatini festival officially begins with a pōwhiri for competitors.
5. 26 Feb 2025Tickets for the final day sell out; venue at 15,000 capacity.
6. 28 Feb 2025Judges announce 12 groups progressing to the Te Matatini finals.
7. 1 Mar 2025Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue wins the Te Matatini 2025 title for the first time.
8. 4 Mar 2025Te Matatini chief executive says the festival may need new venues.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.