Thirty-six teams will feature across two days of competition at the Ngāti Awa Te Toki Kapa Haka Festival this weekend, celebrating the iwi's cultural identity, heritage and performing arts.

The festival begins today with a pōwhiri and speeches at Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae in Whakatāne, followed by activities including tautohe (debating in te reo o Ngāti Awa).

Kapa haka performances will take place tomorrow and Sunday at Te Kaiwhakatere a Tīhori (Edgecumbe Domain), from 7.30am to 5pm daily.

Saturday will feature the Tamariki Whakataetae, a competitive division for children, followed by Whakangahau from 2.30pm, giving non-competitive performers an opportunity to take part. Sunday's programme will feature the Pākeke Whakataetae, the competitive division for adult performers.

The festival has been held biennially since 2014. The idea came from the late Della Simon and Waitangi Black following a kōrero with Hohepa Mason, supported by hapū and marae who recognised a need to strengthen te reo o Ngāti Awa, cultural knowledge and resources, including whaikōrero, karanga, haka, waiata and traditional arts.

Te Ao Haka Kura, a group comprising students from four Ngāti Awa high schools - Rangitaiki College, Te Kura o Te Ōrini, Whakatāne High School and Trident High School - will also perform as part of their subject credits.

The festival is family-friendly, with food, merchandise and service stalls available. Entry is by koha, and on-site parking is limited, so carpooling is encouraged.

Kapa haka performances will be livestreamed on Māori Plus and the Ngāti Awa Te Toki YouTube channel.