TE MATATINI 2025 – A TOOL FOR WELL-BEING

Te Mataini has been broadcast live for four days, with the highly anticipated finals day being held tomorrow.  

Te Matatini has been an incredible display of unity and well-being and is exactly what our nation has needed. Kapa haka is fundamental to the health and well-being for all, especially for Māori; whether performing, supporting or enjoying.

Kapa haka brings people together, strengthening cultural identity and creating a deep sense of belonging. It boosts fitness, builds confidence, and helps transform communities by steering people toward positive cultural aspects and increasing the sense of community. Kapa haka lifts the wairua of both people and of kaupapa.

Kapa haka is more than performance art; it is a potent tool for enhancing health and wellbeing at the individual, whānau, and community levels. Kapa haka epitomises a holistic approach to wellness that integrates physical fitness, mental health, cultural identity, and social connectivity. Kapa haka continues to be a fundamental aspect to well-being whether performing, supporting, viewing or learning; kapa haka resonates at an identity level that is an indelible force of well-being.

The emotional release for performers and viewers experienced through kapa haka is inherently collective - wairua resonating from one individual’s response to another. Performances evoke a range of emotions, including nostalgia, celebration, empathy, and challenge, with the environment allowing those emotions to flow freely. At a time where emotional expression is often subdued in our daily routines, the catharsis generated through kapa haka and the shared experience is profoundly important for well-being.

With Day 4 of the preliminary competition closing, we eagerly anticipate finals day, filled with admiration and respect for those who have secured their place in Saturday’s performance. Te Matatini 2025 has immersed us in an exhilarating celebration of Māori culture, showcasing the power of kapa haka to uplift, inspire, and enhance well-being. With one final day of excellence to come, I encourage all of Aotearoa to tune in and experience the magic of kapa haka.