Two magical evenings in the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre featuring the power and passion of kapa haka and the lyrical beauty of choral music. Each concert, held in conjunction with and supported by Te Matatini, will begin with a spellbinding performance from one of Auckland’s, and indeed Aotearoa’s, most celebrated kapa haka rōpū. Anyone wanting to see the very best of this wonderful art form should secure their tickets now!
Concert One on 12 July opens with Te Waka Huia, legendary five-time winners of Te Matatini’s biennial national competition. The group is a pan-tribal urban kapa haka established in 1981 by the late Ngāpō and Pīmia Wehi to maintain the values and ideals of being Māori in an urban setting. The ultimate trophy at Te Matatini is partially named for these two pioneers.
They will be followed in by the Paduan Suara Mahasiswa (Student Choir) from Hasanuddin University in Makassar, South Sulawesi. As with many Indonesian choirs, this group performs in stunning traditional dress and typically moves as it sings, often while telling a traditional story. The effect is beautiful and captivating.
