Tauira Mai Tawhiti at the 2009 Te Matatini (formerly known as Aotearoa Traditional Māori Performing Arts Festival) held at Baypark Stadium in Tauranga, from 19-22 Feb, 2009

All rights go to Whakaata Māori and Te Matatini.

A traditional kapa haka performance consists of 6 or 7 items.
6 aggregate compulsory items - whakaeke, mōteatea, poi, waiata a ringa, haka, and whakawātea. Groups have the option to perform a Waiata Tira, this is non-aggregate and does not count toward the final scores and placings of the competition.

Waiata Tira: choral item (optional - non-aggregate)
Whakaeke: entrance - entering the stage
Moteatea, waiata tawhito; traditional waiata, lament
Waiata ā ringa: action song - a song with appropriate actions to kupu (words)
Poi: item performed with poi actions, usually by wāhine (women)
Haka: a haka where the tāne (men) come up front
Whakawātea: exit - exiting the stage


Items from Tauira Mai Tawhiti 2009