Over the weekend 25-26 June, a celebration of haka and waiata presented by senior Māori performing artists from around New Zealand took place at Te Papa. Thirteen teams from Tokomaru Bay, Auckland, Whakatane, Patea, Christchurch and elsewhere performed. Kaumātua Kapa Haka capped off the successful month-long Matariki Festival for Te Papa.
This year, Te Kapa Haka Kaumātua ō Ngāi Tahu had a special member in their group. Four generations later, 8-year-old Yozannah Whitiora Topia-Peneha lead the waiata learnt with her peers at Tuahiwi School, the same waiata performed 70 years ago.
The performances held this year were live-streamed so whānau could watch from anywhere in the world. This gave performers a chance to shout-out and wave hello to their moko and whānau who couldn’t make it to Te Papa to join them.
Yozannah Whitiora Topia-Peneha (centre) leads the waiata.
Performers wave to their whānau watching the livestream.