The inaugural Aotearoa National Primary Schools Kapa Haka Competitions were held at the Te Rapa Race Course in Hamilton in the year 2000 hosted by Te Kawe Ratu. During the early year’s the national competitions were held annually however due to interest the competitions became a bi-annual 2005 event in 2005, this was held in Tauranga. Since the inception of this kaupapa it has grown considerably, currently we hold 17 regional competitions attracting approximately 255 kapa haka in total, allowing 61 kapa haka to perform at the 2019 event.

Listed below is a historical timeline of our previous winners.

The name “Te Mana Kuratahi” was given by Takuta Wayne Ngata on 7th December 2009, with the following explanation:

“Ka tīkina atu te ingoa nei hei kaupapa mō te rōpū whāiti māna e tiaki ngā mahi whakataetae Kapa Haka mō ngā kura tuatahi o te motu. Heoi anō ko te tikanga o te ingoa nei he whakawhāititanga i ngā whakaaro nei, arā:

Ko te mana o ngā kura tuatahi;

Ko te whakakotahitanga o ngā kura nei i runga i te kaupapa matua

Ko te mana o te kura tuatahi ka mau i te hanga tamariki nei ki te papa whakatūwaewae hei kaupapa nui mā rātou ka pakeke haere nā i te kura. Kāti, kei hinga ki te tuhi kōrero kē hei ingoa, ka whakarāpopototia ēnei whakaaro ki Te Mana Kuratahi.

Mauriora ki ā tātou tamariki, mauriora ki te kaupapa!”

Mission Statement

To nurture our tamariki in the traditional Māori performing arts and to develop, enhance and maintain a passion and enjoyment in the pursuit of Kapa Haka excellence.