A report into the values of kapa haka has found that the art is not given the respect or status it deserves.
Nga Hua a Tane Rore, the Benefits of Kapa Haka, was carried out by Waikato University's Te Kotahi Research Institute and is the first report of its kind.
It interviewed about 50 participants and stakeholders in Maori performing arts, and showed that though kapa haka makes a valuable contribution to Aotearoa society, it is not fully acknowledged within New Zealand.
The project's manager, Hinearoha Skipper, believed that kapa haka needed to be part of schools and communites so every New Zealander could have some sort of connection with the Maori culture.
The report highlighted that the economic potential of kapa haka was underestimated and needed to be explored more, and to look at engaging with the private sector.
