Hot takes: The struggle to pick a favourite at Te Matatini

Friday, 24 February 2023

Crowd favourite Ōpōtiki-Mai`Tawhiti perform their waiata-ā-ringa, E Pā to Reo.

Five more teams took to the Matatini stage this afternoon, but did they bring the heat to the competition?

Watching on from the kaumātua tent was Celess Eparaima (née Hawke) from Ngāti Whātua, who gave Pou Tiaki reporter Katie Doyle her thoughts about the latest bracket.

What did you make of the last five teams on stage?

Oh, just amazing. The choreography, how the leaders put things together from the sound projection… to just everything that comes with kapa haka (and) learning kapa haka. Yeah, I just found that really amazing.

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* From performer to reporter and presenter, Mātai Smith has covered Te Matatini from every angle

Celess Eparaima can’t decide who she thinks will be crowned the winners of Te Matatini 2023

It’s been four years, do you think we’ve got the best of kapa haka on show today?

I think so. I really do…. I think they nailed it. But yeah, the level of performance today, and probably over the last couple of other days, has been amazing.

Have there been any moments that have really stood out to you?

I liked the poi. I always look forward to how the women deliver the poi. The actions and also the waiata that goes with it. So one of my favourites is always the poi from our wāhine.

Who do you think will win?

I always look at Waka Huia and Ngā Tūmanako because they've always given sort of AAA-plus performance. I've only come today, and I've watched the rest on TV, but even the performances today, it's hard to actually pick who's done exceptionally well. So for those judges who are judging this, you know, it's a hard job, a real hard job…

Despite the rain a Matatini spokesperson confirmed the show will continue regardless. Sheltered seating is available at Eden Park. The rain is expected to ease by Saturday morning.