Tauira Mai Tawhiti at the 2009 Te Matatini (formerly known as Aotearoa Traditional Māori Performing Arts Festival) held at Baypark Stadium in Tauranga, from 1922 Feb, 2009

All rights go to Whakaata Māori and Te Matatini.

A traditional kapa haka performance consists of 6 or 7 items.
6 aggregate compulsory items whakaeke, mōteatea, poi, waiata a ringa, haka, and whakawātea. Groups have the option to perform a Waiata Tira, this is nonaggregate and does not count toward the final scores and placings of the competition.

Waiata Tira: choral item (optional nonaggregate)
Whakaeke: entrance entering the stage
Moteatea, waiata tawhito; traditional waiata, lament
Waiata ā ringa: action song a song with appropriate actions to kupu (words)
Poi: item performed with poi actions, usually by wāhine (women)
Haka: a haka where the tāne (men) come up front
Whakawātea: exit exiting the stage


Items from Tauira Mai Tawhiti 2009