Whakaata Māori and TVNZ are partnering to bring New Zealand’s largest Māori performing arts festival, Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025, to viewers across the motu. Together with Te Matatini Society Inc, Pango Productions and funding from Te Māngai Pāho, the festival will be available live and free-to-air, giving audiences more access than ever before.  

Tā Herewini Parata, Chairperson of Te Matatini, says, “Returning to the open arms of Taranaki, Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025 will be the biggest national kapa haka festival ever held. With the highest number of groups qualifying, we have added an extra day to the programme.  

“Having Whakaata Māori and TVNZ onboard again for Te Matatini 2025 is a significant triumph as it means the power and beauty of kapa haka at the most elite level can be enjoyed by everyone.” 

The highly anticipated competition takes place across 25 February – 1 March, with 55 groups performing in Ngāmotu. Viewers will be able to enjoy all the action of the incredible kapa haka on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+, and on Whakaata Māori and Māori+. 

The festival brings together the traditions and stories of hapū, iwi and waka, while placing great emphasis on originality and diverse expressions of Māori artistry within the kapa haka disciplines. Kapa haka involves a combination of singing, movement, synchronicity, and choreography. 

Whakaata Māori Kaiurungi Pāpāho, Director of Content and Audience Engagement, Maria Barlow, says, “Te Matatini is more than a festival – it is the heartbeat of te ao Māori, a living expression of our ancestors’ aspirations, and a vibrant celebration of our future. Through kapa haka, we elevate our reo, our tikanga, and the stories that connect whānau, communities, and Aotearoa, brought to life by the extraordinary artistry of our kaihaka.” 

“This event embodies the creativity, resilience, and brilliance of Māoridom. It is a stage where the richness of te ao Māori shines, bringing people together and sharing the beauty of our culture with the world.

“Tukuna te reo kia rere, tukuna ngā toi Māori kia rere ki te ao! Let our language and arts soar, inspiring generations to come and ensuring the vibrancy of our culture endures forever.”

Te Reo Tātaki Chief Content Officer, Nevak Rogers, says, “We had the privilege of bringing viewers Te Matatini in 2023, showcasing high-quality kapa haka, reo Māori and culture for all to enjoy.  Our coverage saw record audiences tune into the competition and I’m thrilled to see the continued growth of Māori performing arts with the highest number of groups taking the stage from Aotearoa and Australia next month. 

“Both Whakaata Māori and Te Reo Tātaki have been part of Te Matatini’s history for more than 50 years. Together with funding from Te Māngai Pāho, partnering with Whakaata Māori means we’re able to better cater to the different fluency levels and deliver to the broadest audiences possible – from the die-hard fans to those who are new to the kapa haka revolution.”  

Coverage of Te Matatini o te Kāhui Maunga 2025 is made with support from Te Māngai Pāho

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