Appointments
MāoriCommunity sector Māori Community sector
Te Matatini names 35 experts to its 2027 kapa haka panel
The festival will bring together 57 kapa haka at Hopuhopu, Ngāruawāhia, from 23 to 27 February 2027.
Te Matatini has named a panel of 35 experts in traditional Māori performing arts for Te Matatini o Ngā Taniwha 2027.
The experts come from Aotearoa and Australia. The festival will bring together 57 kapa haka at Hopuhopu, Ngāruawāhia, from 23 to 27 February 2027.
The panel covers seven aggregate items and nine non-aggregate items. Seven Matatoki, or senior adjudicators, will work alongside the wider panel.
Watson Ohia, the Kaiwhiriwhiri Matua, leads the panel.
Te Matatini says the appointments reflect strong te reo Māori and tikanga, deep knowledge of the performing arts, and people who help keep standards high for future generations.
The seven Matatoki are Pakake Calm Winiata (Whakaeke), Ruki Tobin (Mōteatea), Ruakiri Fairhall (Waiata ā Ringa), Rhonda Tibble (Poi), Mark Pirikahu (Haka), Tei Nohotima (Whakawātea) and Rangi Te Whiu Jury (Te Mita o Te Reo).
The full list of panel members, with the rohe each comes from, is on the Te Matatini website.