Taikura Kapa Haka Returns To Te Papa For Matariki
This weekend, Te Papa will once again come alive with the wairua of over 600 kaumātua as Taikura Kapa Haka 2025 takes centre stage.
This annual festival celebrating and showcasing kapa haka and kaumātua takes over Aotearoa New Zealand's national museum on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June.
Whether you're a long-time supporter or a first-time attendee, nau mai, haere mai, tautoko mai – come and witness the living legacy of kapa haka. The event will also be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube, watched by over 100,000 people from around the world, and ensuring whānau near and far can join in the celebration.
Each of the 17 regional, marae-based, and hāhi rōpū brings its own regional flair, waiata, and kōrero, creating a rich and vibrant showcase of traditional Māori performing arts, deeply rooted in whakapapa, tikanga, and mātauranga.
Chair of He Kura Te Tangata Trust, Turongo Paki says, 'Taikura kaumaatua kapa haka is a festival for all kaumaatua from across the motu to gather and share our culture, the culture that was left behind to us by our tuupuna.
'Although this kaupapa has grown and has become popular, we still have a kaupapa to maintain and that's to celebrate iconic composers such a Tuini Ngawai, Paraire Tomoana, Kingi Tahiwi, Te Puea Herangi, Kingi Ihaka and many more.
'Taikura is the only platform where you would find such taonga showcased by our revered reanga, our kaumatua', adds Turongo.
Te Papa Kaihautū | Māori Co-leader, Dr Arapata Hakiwai acknowledges the importance of this kaupapa.
'Taikura Kapa Haka is a deeply powerful celebration of whakapapa, vitality, unity, and our kaumātua who are the taonga of our communities.
'When they stand on stage, they carry the voices of their tīpuna and the hopes of their mokopuna. Their strength, grace, and aroha remind us who we are and where we come from.
'This event embodies the spirit of Matariki mā Puanga: coming together, honouring our past, and looking forward with hope.
'It's an honour for Te Papa to host these living legends.'
Carl Ross Te Matatini Te Manahautū | Chief Executive says, 'It's proven that participation in kapa haka promotes physical and mental wellbeing, while the social connections and cultural pride enhances mental health and emotional resilience.
'The Taikura Festival invigorates our kaumātua and gives whānau an opportunity to support and celebrate their nannies and koros performing on stage.
'I am pleased that Te Matatini will continue to strengthen our longstanding relationship with Te Papa as a supporter of Taikura 2025.'
Taikura Kapa Haka 2025 is supported by Te Matatini, Te Māngai Pāho, Te Tumu Paeroa, and Te Taura Whiri I te Reo Māori.
About Taikura Kapa Haka:
The origins of Taikura Kapa Haka date back to early 2000s and the late Te Arikinui Kahurangi (Dame) Te Atairangikaahu who saw the need for performers who no longer participated in Māori performing arts competitions to have a place where old action songs, poi, haka, and waiata could be performed again.
As a result, in 2005, under the chairmanship of the late Tama Huata, Taikura was introduced to Te Matatini with the kaupapa of reviving and performing compositions that were composed prior to 1970 by iconic figures such as Princess Te Rangi Pai, Ariki Te Puea Herangi, Hone Heke. Sir Apirana Ngata, Paraire Tomoana, Kingi Tahiwi, Guide Bella, Te Aritaua Pitama, Tuini Ngawai, and many others.
In 2008 the He Kura Te Tangata Trust was formed to oversee the kaupapa with the late Tama Huata as the inaugural Chair, alongside trustees, Te Paekiomeka Ruha, Mamae Takerei, Julie Dwyer and the late Puti Mackey.
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