Te Wharekura o Ruatoki are from the Matātua region and formed in 1988.
The Tūhoe rōpū is no stranger to both regional and national kapa haka stages. They strive hard to always uphold their Tūhoetanga not only in kapa haka, but in every day life.
The group’s kaitātaki wahine is Tomairangi Faye Mariu and their kaitātaki tane is Tihema Hare.
This year they are tutored by Mahora and Tommy Heremia.
The designs on their kākahu depict the connection to their mountains, rivers and hapū.
Last year the Ruatoki valley lost one of their mōrehu kuia, Te Uruhina McGarvey. Te Wharekura o Ruatoki pays homage to her in their item they have chosen to share with us today, "Taku Uruhina".