Ngāti Ranginui have finished first in the senior kapa haka competitions of Tākitimu waka. They now qualify for the Matatini Nationals to be held in 2021.
The Tauranga Moana kapa haka group was established by the late Naisey Rīki Natoho to intertwine the hapū and marae of Ngāti Ranginui. Since their inception, Te Kapahaka o Ngāti Ranginui have competed at nine regional competitions and qualified for their first national entry in 2009 in Tauranga. From 2013 to 2017, the group performed again on the national stage, competing against 40+ other roopu, and competed at Te Matatini in Hastings in 2017.
Kura Tukaokao states it is the roopu’s priority to stick with the mission of Ngāti Ranginui: “[that] which is safeguarding our history, genealogy, and oral traditions both old and modern.”¹ “I te ngaro a Ngāti Ranginui ka kitea ka kitea ka kitea,” is the roopu’s mission statement and signifies the development of the iwi teachings, history, whakapapa and taonga for future generations.
This was the group’s first time winning the Tākitimu regional competition.
Those who attended the Tauranga Moana Waitangi Day Festival 2020 were lucky enough to see the group perform before they headed off to the regional championship. Congratulations Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Ranginui and thank you for the privilege of your Waitangi Day performance!
