The Benefits of Kapa Haka to Aotearoa – Webinar

We have been grateful to connect with Te Matatini Kapa Haka Aotearoa and can’t thank them enough for their support in celebrating the APATA National Performing Arts Student of the Year award presentation held at Bellbird Park State Secondary College, QLD.

Te Matatini Society Inc. is an internationally recognised Māori performing arts festival and competition that showcases kapa haka excellence and for 50 years Te Matatini has led the way across New Zealand fostering, developing and protecting traditional Māori performing arts.

Kapa haka refers to traditional Māori dances and songs that reflect identity, culture, stories and history. Kapa haka is seen as a medium for fostering a richer, more cohesive and inclusive society in Aotearoa.

Te Matatini Society is soon to release Ngā Hua a Te Matatini: The Benefits of Te Matatini. A collection of four evidence-based reports that focuses on four areas of the impact that kapa haka makes to the Māori health index, the economy of Aotearoa, the educational success of students who actively participate in kapa haka and the revitalisation of te reo Māori.

Digging deep into the benefits of kapa haka to Aotearoa.

Research reports from leading Māori academics of Ngā Pae o Te Māramatanga – The University of Auckland, Te Wānanga o Raukawa and Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, confirm the benefits of kapa haka to the development and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

“Kapa haka is inclusive and an integral part of the values and norms that govern Māori society. The positive contributions that kapa haka makes to the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of our diverse communities are many,” says Mr Carl Ross, Te Manahautū a Te Matatini – Te Matatini Chief Executive.

Te Wānanga o Raukawa reported that the material contribution of kapa haka to Māori health and wellbeing, in all of its dimensions—physical, spiritual, mental and social, was significant. It goes on to say that a substantial increase in Crown support would enable kapa haka participants and supporters to build on the extraordinary work that is already being done, generating further significant benefits which will extend well beyond Māori communities.

Ngā Hua a Te Matatini research reports will be released and available to the public on Wednesday 6 July on the Te Matatini website: tematatini.co.nz/our-process/publications/

Join the Te Matatini Webinar!

4 pm – 5 pm AEST (6-7 pm NZEST) Wednesday 6 July 2022

To mark the release of the reports, Te Matatini and Ngā Pae o Te Māramatanga are hosting a same-day webinar with researchers.

To register, visit: https://auckland.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nAzf2a7-Tt2-yyNLYg_B2g

That’s 4 pm  – 5 pm AEST!!