The stage is set for an unforgettable celebration of culture as thousands gather in Wairau this week for the top of the South Island’s premier kapa haka event.
Kia Hūkere te Hoe will be the biggest kapa haka event ever held in Marlborough, with rōpū (groups) travelling from around the region to perform.
It returns to the district for the first time in 13 years, bringing together hundreds of kaihaka, their whānau and supporters from across Te Tauihu.
One of the most anticipated performances will be Whakatū-based Te Kuru Marutea, who won hearts around the world and achieved viral fame last year for their stunning Te Matatini performance of waiata tira (choral song), Kei Wareware i a Tātou, which saw them take out the Kohine Pōnika 'Aku Mahi' Memorial Trophy (People's Choice award) in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
“That award was a real marker for us in terms of illustrating the exponential growth of kapa haka in Te Tauihu,” says Te Tauihu Kapa Haka Inc. heamana (chair), Sonny Alesana.
“But what is even more exciting is that the standard of excellence translates across the board. From the tamariki, to the rangatahi, to the pākeke (adult) kapa, we’re seeing a high level of performance from each of them, and as a rohe we can feel really proud of that.”
The two-day event, which kicks off on Thursday, serves as the regional qualifier for next year’s Te Mana Kuratahi, the biennial national primary schools kapa haka competition, and Te Matatini 2027, the national kapa haka festival. Secondary school teams will also be taking the stage to battle it out for regional honours.
Sonny says after staging the competition for many years in Whakatū, it felt good to be “home”.
“It’s a huge event powered by people, all of us volunteers. Our hearts are with our kapa, the culture and the sharing, revitalisation and protection of our culture, and so we’ve always looked at coming back to Blenheim to ensure that is shared across the rohe.
"Wairau, Waikawa and Waitohi are an integral part of our whakapapa and identity as people of Te Tauihu, and I would say there has definitely been a longing to return and acknowledge and celebrate our connections here. We’ve now matured to the point that the logistics allow that despite the exponential growth, and it feels really good to be back.”
With marae, motels and hotels booked solid across the district, Sonny says Kia Hūkere te Hoe would also generate positive economic benefits for Marlborough.
“Although the event is a Māori event, the economic benefits flow through the whole community. But for us as a komiti, we just want people to come and enjoy the day. Yes, it is about sharing the culture, but really it’s about coming together to connect and celebrate living in Te Tauihu and who we are.”
Kia Hūkere te Hoe
Date: Rāpare (Thursday), Āperira 23 and Ramere (Friday), Āperira 24, 2026
Time: Doors open at 8.30am
Location: Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000, 40 Kinross St, Blenheim
