Kapa haka group strive for the national stage

Apr 30, 2026, 1:23 PM Culture

After qualifying for the national kapa haka stage within one year of being a rōpū, Kōkō Tangiwai are back and determined to do it again.

An Ōtautahi kapa haka group is preparing for the Waitaha regional kapa haka competition taking place later next month.

Teams will compete for a chance to represent Te Waipounamu at Te Matatini, Aotearoa’s biggest kapa haka competition.

The group Kōkō Tangiwai was formed in 2024 and qualified for the national stage within one year. Now they’re back and hoping to do it again.

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