'Taking kapa haka to another level': Rangatahi shine at national competition

The future of kapa haka is taking centre stage in Tauranga Moana at the first day of pool performances at the National Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Competition.

42 secondary school kapa haka rōpū from across the motu were competing over three days at Te Tāwharau o Ngā Waka, before the top nine return for Friday's finals.

Kaikaranga and kaiako Mauria Ngatoko Rahipere said today's generation of rangatahi was raising the standard of kapa haka.

"The generation of today, maybe the second, third generation of Kōhanga Reo, Kura Kaupapa Māori rangatahi, they are taking kapa haka to another level.

"So much so that our pakeke groups that go to regionals and nationals actually need to work harder because our youth of today in kapa haka are just accelerating and taking it to another level."

The kaupapa was also a homecoming for many.

Harley Mariu of Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae said returning to the Mataatua region made the kaupapa even more special.

"Hīkaka pai ana. Te nuinga o mātou kei te hoki mai ki te kāinga. Mataatua tō mātou kāinga, nō reira e aroha nui ana ki te kaupapa, ki ngā mahi o te kāinga. Hīkaka ana, nui te aroha."

I'm feeling very excited. Most of us are coming home. Mataatua is our home, so we have a lot of love for this kaupapa and the mahi happening here. We're excited and feeling the aroha.

Asked what makes a successful performance, Mariu's said unity. "Kotahitanga," she said.

Respected traditional navigator from Tauranga Moana Jack Thatcher said the competition brings together some of the country's finest young performers.

"Ngā hunga whakarei o te motu nei, o ngā rangatahi kua eke ana i runga i te whakaaro nui e pā ana ki te pakanga i te atamira o Mātaatua, o Tākitimu. Pai rawa atu te kaupapa o tēnei wiki."

He said the week celebrates rangatahi from across Aotearoa who have come together through their shared passion for kapa haka to perform on one of the country's biggest stages.

Day one was a powerful display of kotahitanga, with rōpū such as Te Maurea Whiritoi, Te Wharekura o Kirikiriroa, Manukura, Te Kapunga and Te Piringa taking to the stage. Performances explored themes of remembrance, identity, whakapapa and the political landscape, highlighting the depth and diversity of stories being shared through kapa haka.

Pool competitions continue through to Thursday before the top nine rōpū compete for national honours on Friday.

Ngā Kapa Haka Kura Tuarua o Aotearoa can only be watched on MĀORI+ and Whare Kōrero, and is free to stream. Both organisations have warned to be aware of scam pages and false links posted online that may be circulating.

"Please don't follow any links, we will never ask you to enter your credit card details, that is a scam," MĀORI + said, encouraging whānau to access the stream via official channels.