Famous five ready to take on all at Matatini

by Hinerongonui Kingi | Tuesday, August 17, 2010 17:00

BRING IT: Eraia Kiel, leader of Manaia, says it's all about what you bring on the day and is confident Te Arawa will have a strong representative.

Te Arawa kapa haka groups are in for fierce competition at the 2011 Matatini Kapa Haka Competition.

The competition's live, randomly selected draw featured on Maori Television's Te Kaea last week and resulted in four of the five Te Arawa teams competing in the same pool.

Only three teams from each pool will go on to battle it out on the last day of the four-day competition, which will involve 42 teams from around the country and Australia.

Performing Te Arawa kapa haka groups Te Mataarae I O Rehu, Nga Uri O Te Whanoa, Tuhourangi-Ngati Wahio and Ngati Rangiwewehi will battle it out for a top three position on day three. They will perform alongside four-time reigning champions Te Waka Huia, who took out the 2009 Matatini Kapa Haka festival in Tauranga.

Te Roopu Manaia will be the first and only Te Arawa group taking to the stage on day two.

Kapa haka leaders and tutors from the five Te Arawa groups said they were pleased with the new kapa haka draw system and all agreed it was a fair way to introduce the format of the competition, despite four Te Arawa teams being placed in the same pool.

"I was hoping the Te Arawa groups would be spread out among the pools, it's almost like a regional competition on a national stage, but I suppose it shouldn't matter where you're placed, as long as you do your best," Tuhourangi Ngati-Wahio tutor Nga Moni Huata said.

Leaders Eraia Kiel (Manaia) and Daniel Vaaka (Ngati Rangiwewehi) are happy with the outcome and said every pool was evenly spread out.

"I think you shouldn't underestimate any group and it's all about what you bring on the day," Mr Keil said. "It will be awesome to have three Te Arawa teams in the finals but I'm confident no matter what, we'll have a strong Te Arawa representative."

Nga Uri O Te Whanoa leader and tutor Donna Grant said she was happy with the draw while Te Mataraae I O Rehu leader Wetini Mitai- Ngatai said the competition was going to be good but tough.

The 2011 competition will be held in Gisborne from February 17-20. Visit www.ticketdirect.co.nz or ring 0800 4 Ticket.

Pool 1-Te IHU