More than 600 kapa students are expected in Rotorua next week for the first national forum on Maori performing arts.
The one-day symposium Nga Mana Whakairo - Celebrating Haka Excellence - has been organised by Te Whare Wananga o Aotearoaand Te Matatini Society, the national body for Maori performing arts.
The aim is to facilitate a forum to discuss kapa haka from an academic perspective and allow enthusiasts to learn first-hand from leading artists.
Some of Aotearoa's foremost performing arts experts will speak including Te Matatini chair Herewini Parata; tutors from some of the leading kapa haka groups; judges; and songstress and kapa haka exponent Maisey Rika.
The chief executive officer and Vice-Chancellor of Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi, Distinguished Professor Graham Hingangaroa Smith, says the symposium is an opportunity to share where Maori are up to in various efforts to sustain performing arts.
The forum will take place on Monday.
