Te Matatini 2025 – The Challenge Beyond the Stage

Last week, Aotearoa stood tall. The world watched as our indigenous reo, tikanga, and arts were showcased on the biggest kapa haka stage – Te Matatini 2025. And wow, what a display it was.

Māori culture was front and centre for all to see. Thanks to social media, unforgettable moments spread across the globe, viewed millions of times. Waiata, haka, choreography, solos, kākahu – it was a visual and emotional feast. I spoke with so many people, Māori and non-Māori alike, who were completely moved by the performances. Some felt proud, some were in awe, and some were in tears watching the beauty of kapa haka at its highest level.

And that’s what makes Te Matatini so special. It’s more than just a competition – it’s a celebration of identity, excellence, and culture.

But here’s my challenge to all of us.

We Don’t Get to Pick and Choose

For a week, we sat comfortably and soaked it all in. We celebrated te reo Māori, the powerful haka, the breathtaking choreography. Some of us – the fortunate ones – understood the kupu being sung on stage, feeling the weight of the words as they were performed. Others watched in admiration, appreciating the skill and the mana of it all.

But we don’t just get to take te ao Māori when it suits us.

We don’t get to share Te Matatini highlights, proud of how unique our little corner of the globe is, but then stay silent when kaupapa Māori and te reo Māori are being undermined publicly. We don’t get to be in awe of kapa haka on stage, but ignore the realities of what’s going on around us.

Te ao Māori is more than just entertainment, to be used to market our uniqueness to the world and drive visitor numbers into our beautiful Aotearoa.

It’s not just something to consume to makes us feel good.

The Real Test Comes Next

So, if you loved Te Matatini like I did – ka pai! It was incredible. But if te ao Māori gave that to you, the question is, what will you give back?

Will you stay quiet when someone makes a low-key anti-Māori comment?
Will you ignore the aunty who drops a racist stereotype at the dinner table?
Will you sit back when policies strip away kaupapa Māori initiatives?

Or will you stand up? Will you say, "Hey, don’t speak like that around me – I don’t agree." Will you advocate for te reo Māori beyond the haka stage? Will you back kaupapa Māori when it matters?

Te Matatini is a koha, a gift from Māori to Aotearoa. The question is – what will you do with it?

The solo that lives rent free in my head

If you missed some of the highlights - here’s one of my personal fave from the five days. Enjoy Te Kuru Marutea’s Waiata Tira (Choral) below (click the video to play)

Ngā mihi,

Anton