
Watch: Taikura Kapa Haka 2025
Over 600 kaumatua (elders) came to Te Papa to perform waiata (songs), mōteatea (chants), poi (balls on string), and haka (ceremonial dance) at Taikura Kapa Haka 2025.
Watch the livestream recordings of both days.
Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
Open every day 10am-6pm
(except Christmas Day)
Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand
Taikura Kapa Haka is an annual festival bringing together kaumātua from across the motu in celebration of the rich mātauranga and pūkenga held in our apārangi tūnohunohu.
In 2005, under the chairmanship of the late Tama Huata, Taikura was introduced to Te Matatini with the kaupapa of reviving and performing compositions composed by iconic figures such as Princess Te Rangi Pai, Ariki Te Puea Herangi, Hone Heke, Sir Apirana Ngata, Paraire Tomoana, Kingi Tahiwi, Guide Bella, Te Aritaua Pitama, Tuini Ngawai, and many others.
In 2008, the He Kura Te Tangata Trust was formed to oversee the kaupapa, and Te Papa is proud to support and host this joyous annual event which will continue to be a treasure for generations to come.
Watch highlights and performances from previous events below.
Over 600 kaumatua (elders) came to Te Papa to perform waiata (songs), mōteatea (chants), poi (balls on string), and haka (ceremonial dance) at Taikura Kapa Haka 2025.
Watch the livestream recordings of both days.
Watch over 700 kaumātua (elders) performing at Taikura Kapa Haka during Matariki 2024.
Watch the 2023 Taikura Kapa Haka which brought together over 500 kaumātua from regional and marae-based rōpū throughout the motu. 2023 is the first time they’ve been together since 2019.
Te Papa is proud to present a celebration of our kaumātua (elders) from throughout Aotearoa with the release of the Taikura Kapa Haka 2022 series.
Watch each Taikura Kapa Haka group as they perform within their own rohe, as well as interviews with members of that group about their experiences within Taikura Kapa Haka and what this means to them in 2021.
Taikura Kapa Haka is a celebration of haka and waiata, presented by senior Māori performing artists from around Aotearoa New Zealand. In this highlights package, a member from each group introduces their favourite performance.
A celebration of haka and waiata, presented by senior Māori performing artists from around Aotearoa New Zealand. Sat 22 – Sun 23 Jun 2019
Performed in June 2018 – A celebration of haka and waiata, presented by senior Māori performing artists from around Aotearoa New Zealand.
On the 24 and 25 June we welcomed 500 Māori elders from around the country for the Kaumātua Kapa Haka – the finale to our Matariki Festival.