National Secondary School Kapa Haka Competition Te Tāwharau o Ngā Waka Begins in Tauranga

The premier event for secondary school kapa haka, Te Tāwharau o Ngā Waka, officially commenced in Tauranga Moana on Monday, 29 June 2026. According to a report by RNZ, the week-long whakataetae opened with a pōwhiri for more than 40 top rōpū who have travelled from across Aotearoa to compete for national honours. The competition features three days of pool performances at Mercury Baypark, culminating in a final showcase on Friday where the top nine finalists will return to the stage. Among those who have arrived for the event is Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga, who travelled five hours from Hastings to participate. Speaking to RNZ, kaiako Turei Kire described 2026 as a potentially transcending year for the art form. He noted the extensive preparation required by students, teachers, and whānau to achieve the level of excellence expected on the national stage. The Heretaunga-based rōpū is staying at Hūria Marae, hosted by the iwi Ngāti Ranginui, ahead of their scheduled performance on Wednesday evening. Student performer Waitiria Konia Keil expressed the excitement felt by the tauira, stating that they had been waiting a long time to perform on the stage in Tauranga. Kire emphasised that the success of each performance is a collective effort, attributing the presence of the groups to the dedicated fundraising, kai preparation, and logistical support provided by their school communities and families. The competition, which runs from 30 June to 3 July 2026, serves as a significant platform for young Māori to showcase their heritage. All performances from the week-long event at Mercury Baypark are being made available for audiences to view via the MĀORI+ streaming platform.