Kokiri 20 - Te Puni Kokiri

TE MATATINITE MATATINICEO’S UPDATEIn 1972 a national Kapa Haka competition started abiennial event that has become a significant worldclassinternational event in New Zealand’s performingarts and cultural calendar.Darrin ApanuiIt has become the world’s largestcelebration of Mäori performing artsand a worldwide profile for Mäoriculture and New Zealand.The next National Festival, TeMatatini o te Rä 2011, held from16 – 20 February 2011 will see 42teams from Aotearoa New Zealandand Australia competing over fourdays for the international title ofbest Kapa Haka Group in the Worldand attract over 20,000 people tothe Gisborne region – the first placein the world to see the sun.An outdoor event, it will be held ina natural amphitheatre at Wai OHika Estate and be an opportunityfor the world to see a uniquetraditional world-class spectacularand will be an ideal destinationfor families, cultural tourists, andholiday makers. A shopping villageis on site.“Gisborne will be the destinationof choice for local, national andinternational audiences. Wai O HikaEstate is the perfect outdoor venueas a natural ampthitheatre to watchthe best kapa haka in the world,”says Darrin Apanui, ExecutiveDirector of Te Matatini.With a camping ground on site,it is sure to be a hit with familieslooking for an ideal location fora family holiday after the busyChristmas period. “The East Coastin summertime is always busy,” saysMr Apanui from Wellington. “Andthis event in early February willenable families to have some qualitytime after the silly season and stillenjoy the region, world famous forits sunshine.”The last time an internationalfestival of this calibre was hostedin the region was 32 years ago in1977. With the full support fromMayor Meng Foon and the GisborneCity Council, the region is going outof its way to host the event.Selwyn Parata, chairman of TeMatatini Society Incorporatedexplains, “when the region asked tohost this Festival, Mayor Foon wasbehind it completely. We have thesupport of the community and localbusinesses who are enthusiasticabout putting on such a largeevent. It’s a win-win arrangement:for spectators, tourists, performers,local businesses and the city. Weare all very excited.”Kapa haka is one of the few culturalperformances in the world whereperformers must sing, dance andexpress themselves through bodylanguage and facial expression.Kapa Haka uses mainly voice,feet and hands to provide thebeat and rhythm. Compositionsare made more dynamic withdistinctive Mäori vocal harmoniesand creatively composed lyrics thatreflect classical and modern Mäorilanguage imagery.Ticket options include four or singleday passes and early bird tickets areon sale now. Children under 5 yearsare free. For ticket informationvisit www.ticketdirect.co.nz andfor further information about TeMatatini o Te Rä 2011, visit www.tematatini.co.nz32TE PUNI KÖKIRI | KÖKIRI | MAHURU – WHIRINGA Ä NUKU 2010