The world’s largest Māori performing arts festival, Te Matatini, is returning in 2025 with a record 55 kapa haka groups competing.
From February 25 to March 1, these elite performers will take the stage at Pukekura/Bowl of Brooklands in Taranaki. Around 70,000 visitors are expected to attend, with millions more watching online and on TV.
Often called the “Olympics of kapa haka,” Te Matatini is a prestigious event showcasing the best haka, waiata, and traditional Māori performances. Groups from 13 regions—12 in Aotearoa and one in Ahitereiria (Australia)—will compete for the national champion title. The festival starts with a pōwhiri on February 24 at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth before the competition begins the next day.
Each group has 25 minutes on stage to perform six compulsory elements: Whakaeke, Mōteatea, Waiata-ā-ringa, Poi, Haka, and Whakawātea. An optional choral song, Waiata Tira, can be included at the start. The competition will be intense, as only 12 groups will advance to the finals on March 1, where previous scores are erased, and a new winner will be crowned.
The supreme champion will receive the Te Toa Whakaihuwaka title and the Ngāpō Pīmia Wehi Duncan McIntyre trophy, representing Aotearoa internationally. Organisers emphasise that Te Matatini is more than a competition—it plays a crucial role in preserving Māori culture, language, and traditions.
Hosting Te Matatini is a major honour for Taranaki, with local leaders excited for both Māori and non-Māori communities to experience the festival’s cultural richness. The event is also expected to bring a $27 million economic boost to the region, making it a significant occasion both culturally and financially.
