TE Whare Wānanga o Awanuiā-rangi hosted its fourth Te Rautoki ā Toi Haka Symposium last Friday. The day featured several influential speakers, including Te Hira Paenga, Taiarahia Black, and Chey and Kahurangi Milne, each presenting significant mātauranga (knowledge) and rangahau (research) that supports bridging traditional knowledge with academic excellence through kapa haka.  

A main feature of the event was the presentation of three Te Matatini Scholarships to tauira pursuing the Postgraduate Diploma in Māori Performing Arts at Awanuiārangi.

Undergraduate school head Sheree Spooner said these scholarships were significant for many reasons.

“They not only acknowledge the outstanding commitment and talent of our tauira in the field of Māori Performing Arts but also reinforce the crucial role of kapa haka in maintaining and advancing mātauranga Māori.

“Through these scholarships, we aim to support our tauira as they continue to bridge traditional Māori knowledge with academic achievement, ensuring that this vital aspect of our culture remains strong and continues to thrive in future generations.”

Te Rautoki ā-Toi is rooted in the visionary kaupapa Māori concept developed by the late Te Makarini Temara, who was the driving force behind the kapa haka of Ruatāhuna Kākahu Mauku, a respected elder of Ngāti Kuri and Tamakaimoana people and a prominent figure at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.  

Eighty tauira completing their final noho and exams for the Postgraduate Diploma and Bachelor of Māori Performing Arts (PGDip MPA and BMPA) attended the event, emphasising the ongoing importance of this platform in fostering excellence in kapa haka, mātauranga, rangahau, te reo, and tikanga.