Te Ao Māori

The twelve finalists for Te Matatini have been announced, among them are defending champions Te Whānau a Apanui, boundary-pushing Auckland group Angitu and star-studded newcomers Te Taumata o Apanui. Audio

Every item performed by kapa at Te Matatini carry a pūrākau (story) of people, places, and events of historical of significance for their hapū and iwi.

A feeling of anticipation has gripped Pukekura/Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymout.

Numbers at Te Matatini have been building up over the week, and will crescendo for a sold out finals on Saturday.

Ken Mair, a leader of the landmark iwi reclamation, says a lot has changed in the 30 years since they made their stand.

"Māori are very political people," Rawiri Waititi who performed at Te Matatini with new group Te Taumata o Apanui, said.

While temperatures around the bowl hit a high, so did the heat on stage as haka star Jeff Ruha wore a full suit for his performance.

Kapa haka fans sprinted through the gates of the Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth this morning to secure prime positions as Day 3 of Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga got under way.

The Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth - where the festival is being held - holds 15,000 people and it is at capacity.

Of the 14 groups that performed on day one, only three will qualify for the finals.

See all the pictures as teams take the stage and visitors queue for hours on the first day of the "Olympics of Kapa Haka".

The first performers are taking the stage at the national kapa haka championships, with more than 2000 people and 55 groups set to perform. Audio

Te Matatini officially got underway in New Plymouth

The hybrid unit uses a 60kWh battery unit with a standard diesel generator - designed to be quiet, efficient and sustainable.

Thousand's are expected to converge on New Plymouth for the kapa haka competition, which is projected to bring in $27 million for the region, its chief executive says. Audio

Watch: Balancing on his surfboard, the kurī became a joyful show of support.

Hāwera's Tika Restaurant, Cafe, and Catering owner Kiri Erb said it was an honour to be one of two catering companies dishing out kai at the upcoming event.

It was the first time most of the group had been to another country.