24 Feb 2019

Shock as former winner fails to reach kapa haka finals

10:02 am on 24 February 2019

The five-times winner of the national kapa haka championships has failed to make this year's final.

Fans have been braving the wet weather at Te Matatini at the stadium in Wellington today as the kapa haka competition closes in on the finals.

Fans have been braving the wet weather at Te Matatini at the stadium in Wellington today as the kapa haka competition closes in on the finals. Photo: RNZ / Ana Tovey

When the nine finalists were announced at Te Matatini last night, the crowd at Wellington's Westpac Stadium were shocked to hear Te Waka Huia hadn't made it.

However, the reigning champions, Whāngārā Mai Tawhiti, are through to today's final, as are the Tainui group Mōtai Tangata Rau and Te Arawa group Te Pikikotuku o Ngati Rongomai for the first time.

Nga Tumanako performing on the morning of day 3 of Te Matatini, the national kapa haka festival.

Nga Tumanako is one of the nine finalists performing for the judges again today. Photo: Te Matatini, Aotearoa Kapa Haka Ltd.

After all nine groups have performed again for the judges, the winner will be announced this afternoon.

Meanwhile the rain has set in at Te Matatini. Thousands have still arrived to watch the top nine groups performing in the finals today, though organisers are advising people to bring plenty of warm clothes.

Kapa Haka finalists in order of performance:

  • 8.40am - Te Mātārae I Ōrehu
  • 9.17am - Mōtai Tangata Rau
  • 9.54am - Te Kapa Haka o Te Whānau a Apanui
  • 10.44 - Ngā Tūmanako
  • 11.21am - Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao
  • 11.58am - Te Pou o Mangatāwhiri
  • 1.13pm - Whāngārā Mai Tawhiti
  • 1.50pm - Te Iti Kahurangi
  • 2.27pm - Piki Kōtuku
  • Te Matatini day three: Kapa Haka finalists announced
  • Te Matatini performers give it their all on day two
  • Resounding political statements from Te Matatini stage
  • First group at kapa haka festival will 'take the audience to church'