Whakapapa
Our history 

Kapa haka in the Rangitāne Region emerged after Tupito relocated his wife and whānau from their kāinga tupu to Manawatū after the closure of the main industry of the Pātea Freezing Works.

In 1986, their son, Roger, his cousin Jody Kiriona and their friends, Wana Manihera, Kim Te Rangi, Rochelle Naran, and Rebecca Garvey approached Tupito and Dawn to form a kapa haka rōpū as an outlet of interest for ex-Queen Elizabeth College students to gather and meet each week.

Initial leadership came from Tupito and Dawn, who played a key role in establishing the region’s first kapa haka rōpū. On 4 February 1986, Tūtahi Manawatū Culture Group was formed, with the first practice held in the old Convent Hall on the corner of Carol and Fitchett Streets in Palmerston North. The name was inspired when Tupito and Dawn passed Tutahi Church near Nukumaru, a whare karakia of significance to the two, while the rōpū itself was founded in Manawatū, the rohe that anchors its newly formed identity.

In the same year, Tupito and Dawn contacted Tom Gemmell, the Ikaroa National Delegate, to enter Tūtahi into the Ikaroa regional competition. They began training the group into a competitive kapa, and after a few months, Tom Gemmell informed them that the rohe was divided into four regions: Tairāwhiti, Takitimu, Raukawa, and Whanganui‑ā‑Tara.

With support from the Tūtahi Manawatū Culture Group, they reached out to Taumata (Myra) Renata, Dawn’s kuia, who helped them connect with the Raukawa District Council. Through the support of Taumata (Myra) Renata, Yvonne Marshall, and Wana Davis, the Council mandated Tūtahi Manawatū Culture Group to represent the rohe at the 1986 Aotearoa Traditional Māori Performing Arts Festival in Ōtautahi/Christchurch. Later that year, Kawa Kereama was appointed as the new National Committee delegate, and rule changes led the Council to withdraw the mandate for Tūtahi Manawatū Culture Group so Tūtangata Whānau could compete for the opportunity to represent Raukawa. This led to Tūtahi Manawatū Culture Group organising a kapa haka competition. In 1986, the first regional kapa haka was held at the Teachers College Auditorium in Palmerston North. Judges included Kelly Kereama, Morvin Simon, Pare Richardson, and Wana Davis, with guest groups from Waipukurau (full and proper name), Pātea Māori Club, and the local Cook Islands community. Tūtangata Whānau won and went on to represent the region at the New Zealand Polynesian Festival in Ōtautahi/Christchurch.

In 1987, the second regional competition was held under the Raukawa District Council at Queen Elizabeth College School Hall, organised by National Delegate Kawa Kereama with support from Tūtangata Whānau. The judging panel again included Kelly Kereama, Morvin Simon, and Wana Davis, joined by Wiki Gardiner. Tūtangata Whānau won again and represented Raukawa at the 1988 New Zealand Polynesian Festival held in Whangārei.

By 1989, kaumatua of the Rangitāne Māori Committee proposed that the regional competition come under the mantle of Rangitāne. After a lengthy kōrero with kaumātua, Taitoko Te Huatahi Rangiharuru Fitzgerald and his wife Patricia, Moana and Dolly Te Rangi, Joe Tukupua, Mina McKenzie and Alan Horsfall mandated Tupito to represent Rangitāne as the rohe delegate on the national committee. From 1990 to 1994, Tūtahi Manawatū Culture Group continued to run regional competitions on behalf of Rangitāne until the establishment of the Rangitāne Māori Regional Cultural Festival Komiti.

Over the years, beginning in 1986, the Tūtahi Manawatū Culture Group and the regional committee were honoured to have the support of several City Council patrons. Mayor Paul Rieger served first, followed by Mayors Jill White and Mark Bell‑Booth, each of whom championed kapa haka initiatives throughout their time in office. Their backing ensured the rōpū had a strong presence within the City Council, opening doors to new opportunities and providing steadfast support that helped the kaupapa flourish.

In late 2004, the Rangitāne Kapa Haka Regional Society was renamed Te Mata Waiora Incorporated Society, reflecting its expansion into neighbouring regions. The new name signalled a broader mission, to promote kapa haka more widely and attract additional groups to compete at the regional level on both sides of the ranges, including those from Waiouru.

Te Mata Waiora’s guiding statement was:

“To embrace the many spiritual strands of well-being to enhance and encompass Māori performing arts with rich harmony woven with challenges and overflowing with the filament of joy and peace.”