Ngā Kapa Haka Kura Tuarua o Aotearoa is the national biennial kapa haka Māori cultural festival for secondary schools in New Zealand. The festival takes the form of a competition, and groups go through a series of local and regional events to be selected for the national competition. Many participants go on to be part of teams in Te Matatini, which is known as the 'Olympics of kapa haka'.
There is also a primary schools national kapa haka competition, Te Mana Kuratahi.
History Ngā Kapa Haka Kura Tuarua o Aotearoa has been held biennially since 2000.
In 2012 approximately 1800 students representing 43 groups took part in Whangārei at Kensington Stadium.Ngā Taiātea Wharekura, "Arena rocks to magic of kapa haka", Ngā Taiatea Wharekura. Retrieved 19-04-2024.
In 2016 there were 1500 students from 39 schools in the competitions held in Napier. The team Te Rōpū Raukura from Rotorua won for the first time, with students from Rotorua Boys' and Rotorua Girls' High School. From Western Springs Ngā Puna o Waiorea, tutored by Pere Wihongi, were second.
Te Rōpū Raukura from Rotorua won again in 2018. There 41 schools involved and more than 1500 students, the competition was held in Palmerston North.
The competition was cancelled for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.Ngā Kapa Haka Kura Tuarua o Aotearoa 2022, "Te Whakataetae". Retrieved 19-04-2024.
In 2022, the event returned but in a new format. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the competition was held over two days, instead of five, and split in five different locations where groups performed on stage behind closed doors to mitigate any potential impact of an outbreak.Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira, "Split venues keep high school kapa haka comps on tract", waateanews.com, September 02, 2022. Retrieved 19-04-2024.Moeawa Fransen, "Kapa haka fires up tamariki", waateanews.com, November 18, 2022. Retrieved 19-04-2024. Performances were broadcast on Whakaata Māori.
In June 2024, Ngā Kapa Haka Kura Tuarua o Aotearoa was held in Nelson, the Government Minister of Māori Development Tama Potaka was in attendance and said: “Thank you for helping to ensure the future of kapa haka – and indeed the growing future of Te Matatini – stands proud on the stage.” There were 42 schools that took part and all three teams from the Te Arawa region competed in the top nine in the finals, with Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Puku o te Ika a Māui winning.
By 2024 because of Kura Kaupapa Māori, more students in 'Māori medium education' and revitalisation of Te Reo Māori (Māori language) there was a doubling in primary and secondary school kapa haka teams in the South Island over the past five years.
Past Winners YearRōpū (Group)LocationRef2024Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Puku o te Ika a MāuiNelson/Whakatū 2022 Te Wharekura o Hoani Waititi Marae Online-basedAuckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, "Te Kapa Haka o Te Wharekura o Hoani Waititi Marae", Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, September 16, 2023. Retrieved 19-04-2024. 2020 Cancelled - 2018 Te Rōpū Raukura Palmerston North/Rangitāne 2016 Te Rōpū Raukura Napier/Te Matau a Māui 2014 Rākaumangamanga Gisborne/Turanga nui ā Kiwa 2012 Te Rōpū Kapa Haka o Ngā Taiātea Whāngarei 2010 Te Rōpū Rangatahi o Ritana Rotorua 2008 Te Piringa Wellington/Pōneke 2006 Rākaumangamanga Waikato 2004 Western heights/Ruatoki TBA 2002 Te Wharekura o Hoani Waititi Marae Christchurch/Ōtautahi 2000 Rākaumangamanga Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau
References
External links Ngā Kapa Haka Kura Tuarua o Aotearoa 2022