Te Uri o Manumanu will join three other Te Tai Tokerau kapa at Te Matatini after Te Matatini reinstated the region’s fourth qualifying place following compassionate consideration, the Waitangi Cultural Committee said on Friday.
During Maranga Mai e te Iwi 2026, Te Tai Tokerau’s regional qualifying competition held in March, severe weather prevented two registered rōpū from attending.
With fewer teams competing, the number of qualifying places was reduced from four to three.
Te Uri o Manumanu, who finished fourth at the regional competition, will now qualify for Te Matatini and join Muriwhenua, Hātea Kapa Haka and Te Kapa Haka o Waerenga Te Kaha as Te Tai Tokerau representatives.
Waitangi Cultural Committee chair Blake Ihimaera said that despite advice from Civil Defence that it was safe to proceed, both Te Hikutū (Whirinaki) and Ngāti Wai Kaumātua Kapa were unable to travel because of the severe weather.
“As a result, Te Uri o Manumanu, who officially placed fourth at Maranga Mai e te Iwi 2026, has qualified for Te Matatini and will join Muriwhenua, Hātea Kapa Haka and Te Kapa Haka o Waerenga Te Kaha as our four Te Tai Tokerau representatives.”
Ihimaera said the Waitangi Cultural Committee sought compassionate consideration from Te Matatini, saying the circumstances were entirely beyond the control of the affected kapa.
“Tā Herewini Parata has since advised that, after further consideration, Te Matatini has restored Te Tai Tokerau’s original allocation of four qualifying positions in recognition of those exceptional circumstances.”
The decision means Te Tai Tokerau will be represented by four kapa at Te Matatini 2027, to be held at Hopuhopu, Waikato.
Te Uri o Manumanu will join 55 other kapa from across Aotearoa and Te Whenua Moemoeā at the national festival, with 56 rōpū qualifying through 13 regional competitions.
The festival will bring together the country’s top kapa haka performers, with regional representatives competing on the national stage in 2027.
