Don’t miss two performances and an interview on Kaumatua Kapa Haka on ‘Good Morning’ (Thursday 9 July). It starts at 9am on TV One. Te Wiwi Nati will be opening the show followed by an interview with He Kura Te Tangata Trustee Pae Ruha and National Coordinator Puti Mackey.

Here’s a korero from Pae Ruha about Kaumatua Kapa Haka:


“In the days when kaumatua were very much around they welcomed, sang and entertained, using the kapa haka style of that era and requiring very little rehearsal time. Today Kaumatua kapa haka are preparing to present the compositions of those respected composers of the past.and it is great that Te Papa is again hosting the two day programme

“At a time when there was every possibility that we would lose our language and culture, Sir Apirana Ngata created a life line which became known as the"modern Māori action song.' His clever use of the pop tunes of the day, and the match up of Māori lyrics caught on so much so, that at the forefront of the revival came Tuini Ngawai, Kohine Ponika and many other composers.

It would be true to say that Apirana Ngata mentored both Tuini and Kohine.One of Tuini's songs is a lament type song, "Auē, Tā Apirana," Kohine, in one of her compositions for the Centennial celebrations of the Mataatua waka, included a plea to her mentor,"E Koro Apirana....."

Some of the Kaumātua Kapa Haka will be presenting works from early composers such as Kingi Tahiwi and Paraire Tomoana, contemporaries of Sir Apirana Ngata. He Kura Te Tangata Charitable Trust salutes Sir Apirana Ngata and all those wonderful composers whose compositions will ring out across at Te Papa and across the world on 11 and 12 July.”

Check out the live webcast at tepapa.govt.nz/kapahaka