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Taikura Kapa Haka

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.

  • Several older people performing kapa haka Māori performance on a stage.

    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.

  • Women all wearing black skirts and pink shirts swinging poi in unison (white balls on cord).

    Watch: Taikura Kapa Haka 2023

    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.

  • Four women in pink shirts singing with hand actions

    Watch: Taikura Kapa Haka 2022

    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.

  • A starry sky over a darkened landscape

    Watch: Taikura Kapa Haka 2021

    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.

  • Screengrab of video showing three women performing kapa haka

    Watch: Highlights from Taikura Kapa Haka

    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.

  • Ladies perform a waiata (song)

    Watch: Taikura Kapa Haka 2019

    A celebration of haka and waiata, presented by senior Māori performing artists from around Aotearoa New Zealand. Sat 22 – Sun 23 Jun 2019

  • Performers on stage

    Watch: Taikura Kapa Haka 2018

    Performed in June 2018 – A celebration of haka and waiata, presented by senior Māori performing artists from around Aotearoa New Zealand.

  • Ladies singing and dancing

    Watch: Kaumātua Kapa Haka 2017

    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.