"Māori are very political people," Rawiri Waititi who performed at Te Matatini with new group Te Taumata o Apanui, said.

The rōpū from the Te Arawa region have been crowned champions for the first time.

Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue won the Toa Whakaihuwaka title at Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga

Te Matatini - the national kapa haka championships - kick off in New Plymouth tomorrow, the first time the event has been held in Taranaki for more...

A feeling of anticipation has gripped Pukekura/Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymout.

Numbers at Te Matatini have been building up over the week, and will crescendo for a sold out finals on Saturday.

The last time Ngā Tumanako, Angitu and Te Waka Huia were on stage at the Auckland regional competition, it ended in a three-way tie.

The first performers are taking the stage at the national kapa haka championships, with more than 2000 people and 55 groups set to perform.

See all the pictures as teams take the stage and visitors queue for hours on the first day of the "Olympics of Kapa Haka".

Thousand's are expected to converge on New Plymouth for the kapa haka competition, which is projected to bring in $27 million for the region, its...