Waatea News: Māori Radio Station

The discovery that almost one million cervical screening reminder notifications were not sent has reignited concerns about New Zealand’s cervical screening programme, with leading Māori health researcher Professor Bev Lawton (Ngāti Porou) warning the failure has the potential to deepen long-standing inequities for wāhine Māori.

Professor Lawton, one of Aotearoa’s foremost experts in Māori women’s health and cervical cancer prevention, says the breakdown raises serious questions about the reliability of a system designed to detect cancer early and save lives.

The notification failure affected reminder letters intended to prompt eligible people to attend cervical screening or follow-up appointments, prompting a national review of the programme and renewed scrutiny of Health New Zealand’s screening systems.

For Professor Lawton, the issue extends beyond administrative error.

She says cervical screening programmes rely on public confidence, timely communication and equitable access, particularly for communities already facing poorer health outcomes.

Wāhine Māori continue to experience significantly higher rates of cervical cancer than non-Māori women and are more likely to die from the disease.

They are also less likely to be screened regularly, making effective reminder systems an essential part of preventing cancers from developing or progressing undetected.

Professor Lawton says any failure within the screening programme has the potential to widen existing inequities if those already less likely to engage with healthcare miss further opportunities for early diagnosis.

She says improving outcomes requires more than restoring reminder systems.

Building trust with communities, ensuring culturally appropriate services and removing barriers to accessing healthcare remain critical components of reducing cervical cancer rates among Māori.

The incident has also renewed calls for greater transparency about how long the notification failure continued, how many people may have been affected, and whether delayed diagnoses have occurred as a result.

Health New Zealand has launched reviews into the notification breakdown while working to identify affected patients and restore confidence in the National Cervical Screening Programme.

Professor Lawton says the programme remains one of the country’s most effective tools for preventing cervical cancer, but only if eligible people are supported to participate and receive timely follow-up care.

She says maintaining equitable access to screening and ensuring systems work as intended are essential if New Zealand is to close the persistent gap in cervical cancer outcomes between Māori and non-Māori women.

The incident has sparked wider debate about the resilience of New Zealand’s public health systems and the importance of ensuring administrative failures do not undermine decades of work to improve cancer prevention and health equity.

As investigations continue, health advocates say the priority must remain supporting those affected, strengthening confidence in the screening programme and ensuring wāhine Māori are not disproportionately impacted by failures within the health system.

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#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #BevLawton #NgātiPorou #CervicalScreening #WāhineMāori #MāoriHealth #HealthEquity #Women’sHealth #CervicalCancer #CancerPrevention #HealthNZ #PublicHealth #ScreeningProgramme #TeAoMāori #Whānau #Healthcare #Aotearoa #HealthNews #Equity

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New Zealand’s housing crisis is no longer confined to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, with new research from The Salvation Army showing growing housing pressure across regional communities as affordability, rental shortages and homelessness continue to affect more whānau.

The findings are contained in Home Truths: What Recent Data on New Zealand’s Housing is Telling Us, authored by social policy analyst Alan Johnson, who says the latest evidence points to a housing crisis that has become increasingly widespread across the country.

Speaking with Radio Waatea, Johnson says regional New Zealand is now experiencing many of the same housing challenges that have traditionally been associated with the country’s largest urban centres.

The report identifies increasing pressure on rental housing, ongoing affordability challenges for first-home buyers and growing demand for emergency and transitional housing in provincial towns and districts.

Johnson says while house price growth has slowed in some parts of the country, many households continue to struggle with rising rents, high living costs and limited housing supply.

For Māori, the challenges are particularly significant.

Māori remain disproportionately represented among those experiencing housing insecurity, overcrowding and homelessness, while lower rates of home ownership continue to contribute to long-term inequities in wealth, health and educational outcomes.

The report argues that housing should be viewed not simply as an economic issue, but as a foundation for wellbeing, affecting physical health, educational achievement, employment opportunities and whānau stability.

Regional communities that have experienced population growth, limited housing construction and increased demand have seen affordability pressures intensify, placing additional strain on low-income households.

Johnson says many smaller centres are now facing shortages of affordable rental properties, making it increasingly difficult for essential workers, older people and young families to remain in their communities.

The report also highlights the interconnected nature of New Zealand’s housing challenges, noting that pressures in larger cities often flow into neighbouring districts as people seek more affordable places to live.

While regional migration has created opportunities for some communities, it has also contributed to increased competition for housing in areas that have historically had smaller rental markets.

Johnson says addressing the housing crisis will require sustained long-term investment rather than short-term policy responses.

The report calls for continued efforts to increase housing supply, improve affordability and ensure that vulnerable households have access to safe, secure and appropriate homes.

It also points to the importance of supporting community housing providers and organisations working directly with families facing housing hardship.

As debate continues over the future direction of housing policy, the Salvation Army’s research suggests the challenges are no longer confined to New Zealand’s biggest cities.

Instead, housing affordability and availability have become national issues, affecting communities from metropolitan centres to provincial towns.

For Johnson, the message is clear: solving New Zealand’s housing crisis will require recognising that the pressures now extend well beyond the country’s largest urban areas and demand solutions that work for every region.

#Tags:
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #SalvationArmy #AlanJohnson #HomeTruths #HousingCrisis #Housing #AffordableHousing #MāoriHousing #Whānau #RegionalNewZealand #Homelessness #CostOfLiving #SocialHousing #CommunityHousing #HousingAffordability #Aotearoa #PublicPolicy #SocialIssues #HousingNews

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Northland continues to face some of the toughest economic challenges in Aotearoa, with rising unemployment hitting Māori communities particularly hard, even as the region demonstrates resilience in recovering from severe weather events and navigating a rapidly changing political landscape.

Speaking with Radio Waatea, Green Party MP Huhana Lyndon said Northland is once again carrying a disproportionate share of the country’s economic hardship, with Māori rangatahi among those most affected by the latest labour market figures.

New unemployment data shows Māori continue to experience significantly higher jobless rates than the national average, with Northland remaining one of the regions most impacted by limited employment opportunities and ongoing economic pressures.

Lyndon said unemployment is more than an economic statistic, affecting whānau wellbeing, housing security, education and the long-term aspirations of young people.

She said creating meaningful employment pathways for rangatahi Māori remains one of the region’s most urgent priorities, particularly as many communities continue to recover from the social and economic impacts of recent years.

Despite those challenges, Lyndon pointed to the resilience shown by Northlanders following severe storms that caused widespread flooding, slips and infrastructure damage across the upper North Island.

Communities came together to support one another through emergency responses, clean-up efforts and ongoing recovery work, demonstrating the strength of local whānau, hapū and volunteers in the face of adversity.

Lyndon said that same resilience is now needed to confront the region’s economic challenges, ensuring communities are supported with investment, employment opportunities and long-term development.

The discussion also turned to the political debate surrounding New Zealand’s electoral system after National leader Christopher Luxon announced he would hold a referendum on the country’s Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) voting system if re-elected.

The proposal has drawn criticism from coalition partner New Zealand First, with leader Winston Peters describing the move as a political power grab.

Lyndon said any discussion about changing the electoral system must recognise the importance of ensuring diverse voices continue to be represented in Parliament, particularly those of Māori and smaller political parties.

She said strong democratic representation remains essential as communities face significant decisions on employment, housing, infrastructure and the future relationship between Māori and the Crown.

For Northland, Lyndon said the focus must remain on addressing the issues affecting people’s daily lives rather than becoming distracted from the challenges confronting whānau.

As New Zealand heads towards the general election, she believes the experiences of regions such as Te Tai Tokerau should remain at the centre of the national conversation.

With unemployment, recovery from severe weather and constitutional debate all shaping the political landscape, Lyndon said Northland’s resilience will continue to be one of its greatest strengths—but lasting progress will require sustained investment in people, jobs and communities.

#Tags:
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #HuhanaLyndon #TePātiMāori #Northland #TeTaiTokerau #MāoriEmployment #YouthUnemployment #Rangatahi #Whānau #EconomicRecovery #StormRecovery #Resilience #MMP #Election2026 #ChristopherLuxon #WinstonPeters #NZPolitics #MāoriNews #Aotearoa

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New research led by the University of Otago’s Associate Professor Ben Beaglehole has found that autism diagnosis rates in New Zealand have more than tripled over the past 15 years, reflecting significant changes in awareness, assessment and access to diagnostic services.

The study found diagnosis rates have increased across all age groups, ethnicities and genders, indicating that autism is being identified more frequently throughout the population rather than within any single group.

Researchers say the rise does not necessarily mean autism is becoming more common. Instead, the findings point to improved recognition of autism, greater public awareness, broader diagnostic criteria and increased understanding among health professionals, educators and whānau.

The research highlights how autism is increasingly being recognised not only in young children, but also in adolescents and adults who may previously have gone undiagnosed.

Associate Professor Beaglehole says earlier identification can play an important role in helping autistic people and their families access appropriate support, education and healthcare.

The findings also reinforce the growing demand for diagnostic and support services across New Zealand, with clinicians and advocacy groups continuing to call for improved access to assessments and timely interventions.

For Māori communities, the research adds to a growing body of evidence showing the need for culturally responsive autism services.

Previous University of Otago research has identified disparities in autism identification among Māori, suggesting systemic barriers may contribute to lower diagnosis rates and later access to support compared with non-Māori.

Researchers say improving equitable access to diagnosis is essential to ensuring autistic Māori and their whānau receive appropriate health, education and disability services.

The latest findings also reflect broader international trends, where autism diagnoses have increased as understanding of neurodiversity has evolved and awareness campaigns have reduced stigma surrounding assessment.

Advocates say earlier diagnosis can improve educational outcomes, strengthen access to specialist services and enable families to better understand and support autistic children and adults throughout their lives.

As diagnosis rates continue to rise, researchers say the focus must now shift toward ensuring New Zealand’s health, education and disability systems have the capacity to provide timely, culturally appropriate support for everyone who needs it.

The study adds to an expanding body of New Zealand research aimed at improving understanding of autism and ensuring support systems keep pace with growing demand across Aotearoa.

#Tags:
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #Autism #Takiwātanga #UniversityOfOtago #BenBeaglehole #Neurodiversity #MāoriHealth #HealthResearch #Disability #EarlyDiagnosis #Whānau #Education #PublicHealth #HealthEquity #Aotearoa #AutismAwareness #ChildHealth #MentalHealth #HealthNews

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As artificial intelligence rapidly becomes part of everyday life, Māori technology and governance advocate Dayle Takitimu says Aotearoa must ensure that human rights, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori data sovereignty sit at the heart of how AI is developed and used.

Speaking with Radio Waatea, Takitimu welcomed the Human Rights Commission’s call for New Zealand to adopt a human rights-centred and Te Tiriti-based approach to artificial intelligence, arguing that Māori cannot afford to be left behind as governments and businesses embrace emerging technologies.

The Commission has warned that while AI presents significant opportunities across health, education, employment and public services, it also carries risks of reinforcing discrimination, bias and inequity if appropriate safeguards are not in place.

For Takitimu, those concerns are particularly significant for Māori communities.

AI systems are increasingly being trained using vast amounts of data, making it essential that Māori retain authority over how Māori information, cultural knowledge and intellectual property are collected, governed and used.

Central to that discussion is the principle of Māori data sovereignty, which recognises that Māori should exercise authority over data relating to Māori people, communities, language and mātauranga.

Takitimu says protecting that authority is an expression of tino rangatiratanga in the digital age.

She believes Te Tiriti o Waitangi provides an important framework for ensuring Māori participate as partners in decisions about artificial intelligence rather than simply becoming subjects of technologies designed elsewhere.

The discussion comes as governments around the world grapple with how to regulate AI while balancing innovation with public trust and human rights protections.

In Aotearoa, Māori researchers, iwi and technology leaders have increasingly called for Indigenous values and governance to be embedded in AI development from the outset.

Takitimu says AI has enormous potential to improve outcomes in areas including healthcare, education, environmental management and public services, but only if systems are designed in partnership with Māori and reflect Māori values.

Without appropriate governance, he warns AI risks reproducing existing inequities and creating new challenges around privacy, bias and the use of Indigenous knowledge.

The Human Rights Commission has also highlighted the need for transparency, accountability and stronger protections to ensure AI systems uphold fundamental rights while recognising the Crown’s obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

As artificial intelligence continues to transform society, Takitimu says the conversation should not simply be about technology.

Instead, he believes it is about ensuring Māori rights, cultural integrity and self-determination remain central to New Zealand’s digital future.

The debate is expected to become increasingly important as AI plays a larger role in public services, business, education and healthcare, with Māori leaders calling for governance frameworks that protect both innovation and Indigenous rights.

#Tags:
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #DayleTakitimu #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #HumanRights #TeTiriti #TreatyOfWaitangi #MāoriDataSovereignty #TinoRangatiratanga #MātaurangaMāori #DigitalFuture #Technology #AIEthics #TeAoMāori #Innovation #IndigenousData #HumanRightsCommission #Aotearoa #MāoriNews

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The Māori film community is mourning the loss of one of its most influential champions, with the passing of Leo Koziol (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rakaipaaka), founder and director of the Wairoa Māori Film Festival and a tireless advocate for Indigenous storytelling in Aotearoa and around the world.

Tributes have poured in from filmmakers, artists and cultural organisations, remembering Koziol not only as a visionary curator and festival director but as a mentor who dedicated his life to creating opportunities for Māori, Pasifika and Indigenous filmmakers to tell their own stories.

The Wairoa Māori Film Festival Trust described Koziol as an extraordinary leader whose legacy would continue to inspire generations.

“On behalf of the Wairoa Māori Film Festival Trust, thank you to all family, friends and followers honouring Leo Koziol’s extraordinary legacy. We welcome you to share your tributes, memories and images with us. Moe mai rā, e te rangatira.”

For more than two decades, the Wairoa Māori Film Festival became a unique cultural gathering, showcasing Indigenous cinema from Aotearoa and across the globe while providing a platform for emerging Māori filmmakers whose work may otherwise never have reached audiences.

The New Zealand International Film Festival (Whānau Mārama) also paid tribute, describing Koziol as a guiding light within New Zealand’s film industry.

“He maimai aroha ki a Leo Koziol. Kei te heke ngā roimata i te rongo kua riro atu te kāpehu whetū o te Whānau Mārama.”

The festival said Koziol devoted his career to elevating Māori, Pasifika and Indigenous cinema, curating the Ngā Whanaunga programme and sharing his extensive knowledge with film festivals throughout the world.

Artistic Director Paolo Bertolin remembered Koziol as an inspiring colleague whose passion transformed the festival.

“Working with Leo Koziol has been truly inspiring. As an advocate of Māori and Pasifika talents, he gifted the festival with the Ngā Whanaunga name and concept. We will humbly try to carry on his legacy, promoting diversity and inclusion.”

Closer to home, the Wairoa Māori Film Festival remembered Koziol as a leader whose vision was always centred on his people.

“He was a cheeky yet intelligent and inspiring Māori man who led rangatahi to the forefront of his kaupapa and ensured his vision included his people, land and his whakapapa.”

The festival said Koziol’s passing leaves “a hole in the hearts of many here in Aotearoa and around the world.”

His influence extended well beyond cinema.

As a member of the Screen Hawke’s Bay Board, Koziol was recognised for helping strengthen the region’s creative industries while championing Māori voices in film and television.

In its tribute, Screen Hawke’s Bay described him as a storyteller, creative visionary and connector of people.

“Leo understood that film is more than entertainment—it is whakapapa, identity, memory and hope.”

The organisation said his work had helped shape the cultural landscape of Hawke’s Bay and Aotearoa by creating spaces where Indigenous stories could be celebrated with pride.

Throughout his career, Koziol remained committed to ensuring Māori narratives were told by Māori, creating opportunities for emerging filmmakers and fostering international relationships between Indigenous storytellers from around the world.

His work helped establish Wairoa as a globally recognised centre for Indigenous cinema, attracting filmmakers from across the Pacific, the Americas, Asia and beyond.

For many young Māori filmmakers, Koziol was more than a festival director.

He was a mentor who believed Indigenous stories belonged on the world’s biggest screens and who encouraged rangatahi to see filmmaking as both an art form and an expression of whakapapa.

His passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Māori filmmaking, but the institutions he built, the filmmakers he inspired and the stories he helped bring to audiences will ensure his legacy lives on.

As tributes continue to flow from across Aotearoa and the international film community, one message has remained constant:

Moe mai rā, e te rangatira. Thank you for showing the world the strength, beauty and power of Indigenous stories.

#Tags:
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #LeoKoziol #WairoaMāoriFilmFestival #MāoriCinema #IndigenousFilm #NgātiKahungunu #NgātiRakaipaaka #WhānauMārama #NZIFF #NgāWhanaunga #MāoriStorytelling #Rangatahi #TeAoMāori #Arts #Culture #Film #Aotearoa #ScreenHawkesBay #IndigenousVoices #MāoriNews #MoeMaiRā

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Respected Tairāwhiti leader Cushla Tangaere says rising unemployment is reversing years of hard-fought progress for Māori communities, warning that every job lost has a ripple effect on whānau, housing, education and regional development.

Speaking after the latest labour market figures showed New Zealand’s unemployment rate had climbed to 5.6 percent—the highest level in more than a decade—Tangaere said the consequences are being felt well beyond the workplace.

“When employment goes backwards, everything goes backwards,” she said.

The latest Stats NZ figures show Māori continue to be disproportionately affected by the economic slowdown, with Māori unemployment rising to 10.8 percent, nearly double the national rate. Rangatahi Māori and regional communities have been among the hardest hit, as employment opportunities continue to decline across many sectors.

Tangaere, who has spent years leading initiatives in iwi development, housing, economic growth and community wellbeing throughout Tairāwhiti, says employment is the foundation upon which many other aspects of life depend.

“When people lose jobs, it’s not just about a pay packet,” she said. “It affects housing, mental wellbeing, education, whānau stability and people’s confidence in their future.”

She says Māori communities have worked tirelessly over many years to build stronger local economies, create employment pathways and invest in rangatahi, but those gains are now at risk.

The latest figures show the number of unemployed young people aged 15 to 24 has continued to rise, while Māori unemployment remains significantly above the national average.

For regions like Tairāwhiti, where employment opportunities can already be limited, Tangaere says economic downturns are often felt more sharply than in larger urban centres.

She believes sustained investment in Māori enterprise, regional infrastructure, skills training and housing remains essential if communities are to withstand periods of economic uncertainty.

Tangaere says employment is about more than economic indicators—it is about giving whānau dignity, independence and the opportunity to contribute to their communities.

“When people are working, they can support their families, participate in their communities and plan for the future. When those opportunities disappear, everything else becomes harder.”

The unemployment figures have become a major political issue ahead of the general election, with parties debating how best to stimulate job creation and strengthen the economy.

While national discussions often focus on percentages and economic forecasts, Tangaere says Māori communities experience the reality behind those numbers every day.

For many whānau, rising unemployment means difficult choices around paying rent, putting food on the table and supporting tamariki through school.

She says rebuilding the economy must include targeted support for regions and Māori communities that have historically carried a disproportionate share of unemployment during economic downturns.

As New Zealand searches for a path to economic recovery, Tangaere says success should ultimately be measured not by statistics alone, but by whether whānau are able to find secure work, remain in their communities and build better futures for the next generation.

#Tags:
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #CushlaTangaere #MāoriEmployment #Unemployment #Jobs #Tairāwhiti #EconomicDevelopment #Whānau #Rangatahi #Housing #MāoriEconomy #RegionalDevelopment #CostOfLiving #StatsNZ #TeAoMāori #Aotearoa #EconomicRecovery #MāoriNews #Election2026

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Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the world, but Māori technology leaders say the question is no longer whether AI will change society—it’s whether Māori will help shape that future.

That is the kaupapa behind a new partnership between Toitū AI and Te Puna Ora o Mataatua, which aims to develop tikanga-grounded artificial intelligence and digital systems that strengthen mana motuhake, protect Māori data, and improve the wellbeing of future generations.

Toitū AI founder Dan Te Whenua Walker says the collaboration represents a significant step toward ensuring AI reflects Māori values rather than simply adopting overseas technologies that may not understand the cultural, ethical and collective responsibilities embedded in te ao Māori.

Welcomed to Te Puna Ora o Mataatua in July, Walker says the partnership is about building AI that works with communities rather than making decisions for them.

“Our goal is to ensure AI strengthens whānau, supports iwi aspirations and protects the integrity of Māori knowledge and data,” he says.

The partnership comes at a time when governments, researchers and iwi are increasingly grappling with both the opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence.

Recent government advice has warned that AI systems could pose significant risks to Māori culture, stories and data if appropriate safeguards are not in place. Concerns include the unauthorised use of mātauranga Māori, algorithmic bias and the ownership of Indigenous knowledge within rapidly evolving AI platforms.

For Walker, those concerns reinforce the need for Māori to become creators of AI—not simply consumers.

He says tikanga provides a framework for developing technology that prioritises relationships, accountability and collective wellbeing alongside innovation.

The work with Te Puna Ora o Mataatua is expected to explore practical applications across areas including housing, health, whānau services and community development, where AI could help organisations analyse information more effectively while keeping Māori values at the centre of decision-making.

The kaupapa aligns with a growing movement across Aotearoa to strengthen Māori data sovereignty, ensuring iwi and Māori organisations retain authority over how Māori information is collected, stored and used.

Last year, iwi leaders unveiled a set of AI safeguards designed to protect Māori data and establish principles for the ethical use of emerging technologies. The framework emphasises Māori governance, transparency and the protection of cultural knowledge in the age of artificial intelligence.

Health is another area where Māori-centred AI is gaining momentum.

Researchers and health providers are exploring how artificial intelligence can improve service delivery, identify inequities and support better outcomes for whānau, provided those systems are designed with Māori communities rather than imposed upon them.

Walker believes the conversation about AI should not be driven by fear but by leadership.

He says if Māori lead the development of digital technologies grounded in tikanga and whakapapa, AI can become a powerful tool for strengthening communities rather than undermining them.

For Te Puna Ora o Mataatua, the partnership reflects a broader commitment to innovation that supports whānau aspirations while protecting cultural identity.

As artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly influential part of everyday life, Walker says Māori have an opportunity not just to adapt to technological change—but to help define what that future looks like.

#Tags:
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #ToitūAI #DanTeWhenuaWalker #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #TePunaOraOMataatua #Tikanga #ManaMotuhake #MāoriDataSovereignty #MātaurangaMāori #Whānau #Technology #DigitalInnovation #TeAoMāori #Housing #Health #AIEthics #IndigenousInnovation #Aotearoa #FutureTech #MāoriNews

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The countdown to Te Matatini o Ngā Taniwha 2027 is gathering momentum, with the upcoming live competition draw marking the next major milestone for what is widely regarded as the pinnacle of Māori performing arts.

Hosted by Te Kīngitanga, Waikato-Tainui and Te Whare Haka o Tainui Waka, the live draw will set the stage for the national kapa haka festival, which will be held at Hopuhopu, near Ngāruawāhia, in 2027.

For kapa haka groups across Aotearoa and Australia, the draw is more than a ceremonial occasion—it determines the performance order and officially begins the final preparations for one of the country’s largest cultural events.

Te Matatini Chief Executive Carl Ross says the festival continues to grow in both scale and significance, reflecting the enduring strength of kapa haka and te ao Māori.

Over recent years, Te Matatini has evolved into one of New Zealand’s largest cultural gatherings, attracting thousands of performers, judges, volunteers and supporters from throughout the country and overseas.

Ross says each festival demonstrates the vibrancy of Māori language, culture and identity while providing a national platform for excellence in haka, waiata, poi and traditional performance.

Beyond the competition itself, Te Matatini has become a major economic and social event, bringing significant benefits to host regions through tourism, hospitality and cultural engagement.

The decision to host the 2027 festival in Waikato carries special significance.

Under the mana of Te Kīngitanga and Waikato-Tainui, the festival will return to a region deeply connected to Māori history, leadership and the ongoing legacy of the Kīngitanga movement.

Hopuhopu, on the banks of the Waikato River, is expected to welcome tens of thousands of visitors during the week-long celebration of Māori performing arts.

For competing kapa haka, the live draw signals the beginning of the final stretch toward the national stage, where years of preparation, fundraising and rehearsal culminate in performances that celebrate whakapapa, language, history and identity.

While Te Matatini is a competition, it is equally a celebration of community.

Whānau travel from every corner of Aotearoa to support their teams, with generations coming together to uphold traditions, strengthen te reo Māori and celebrate the richness of Māori culture.

Ross says the continued growth of Te Matatini reflects the increasing popularity of kapa haka both nationally and internationally, with audiences continuing to expand through television broadcasts and online streaming.

As anticipation builds toward Te Matatini o Ngā Taniwha 2027, the live draw represents the first official step on a journey that will once again bring together the finest kapa haka exponents from across the motu.

For performers and supporters alike, the road to Hopuhopu has now begun.

#Tags:
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #TeMatatini #TeMatatini2027 #CarlRoss #KapaHaka #TeReoMāori #TeAoMāori #WaikatoTainui #TeKīngitanga #Hopuhopu #Ngāruawāhia #MāoriCulture #MāoriPerformingArts #Whakapapa #Waiata #Haka #Poi #Aotearoa #MāoriNews #Culture #TeWhareHakaOTainuiWaka

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