Te Matatini held at the Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth. Mahau Blessing Ceremony. Photo: ANDY JACKSON
Members of the Te Matatini Board met with Taranaki iwi today to bless the mahau, or stage front, setting the stage for the largest kapa haka tournament in the world.
Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga kicks off in two weeks and will pull together Aotearoa's finest haka rōpu for the week-long festival.
A record number of qualifying teams means the biennial festival will take place between 25 February to 1 March - an extension of one day.
Speaking at the today's blessing, Te Kāhui Maunga Society Incorporated chair Elijah Pue said hosting the mahau in Taranaki was a privilege.
Te Matatini held at the Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth. Mahau Blessing Ceremony. Photo: ANDY JACKSON
"Its presence honours all the festivals before ours and reaffirms our commitment to manaaki all who are joining us at Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga," Pue said.
The Mahau, named Te Matatini, was first unveiled at the 2013 tournament in Rotorua and stands at over 13 metres tall and 30 metres wide, weighing in at about 26 tonnes.
Te Matatini is carved entirely from native wood, including a piece of kauri carbon-dated at 4,500 years old.
Te Matatini held at the Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth. Mahau Blessing Ceremony. Photo: ANDY JACKSON
Te Matatini chief executive Carl Ross said bringing the Mahau to Taranaki was a significant moment.
"When kaihaka stand on the Te Matatini stage, the mana of the Mahau and those that have stood before stands with them."
"The blessing of the Māhau is a significant and magical moment as it connects past festivals with Te Matatini of Te Kāhui Maunga," Ross said.
Te Matatini held at the Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth. Mahau Blessing Ceremony. Photo: ANDY JACKSON
Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga begins on 25 February at the Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
