(MAN CALLS IN TE REO MAORI) Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2023 (DUO SING IN TE REO MAORI) (ALL SING IN TE REO MAORI) (ALL HARMONISE) (ALL SING IN TE REO MAORI) - ALL: Hi, aue, hi! (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) (ALL SING IN TE REO MAORI) Hi, aue, hi! (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) (WHISTLE TRILLS) - IN TE REO MAORI: Te Puea is their master. Turangawaewae is the marae. Ko te Pou o Mangatawhiri is the group; the master is Paumea Walker! - Ne? - Ae! - (CHUCKLES) - Our show just got greater with your presence. Greetings. - IN TE REO MAORI: Thank you. - That song there, how creative, using rugby, politics and kapa haka. Those three things all included in the action song item. Please explain. - The name of that song is Whutuporo Maori. The thought came from Kingi Tuheitia's speech in 2022 at his coronation. He said... for political parties to stop using Maori as a rugby ball to play politics. From there, our core group got together and thought that be a great topic for us to sing about at Te Matatini. Going back to his speech, and the use of the Maori rugby theme and politics used in the song, especially because it was a voting year. We thought to use words like, start, game, whistle blowing... - (EXCLAIMS) ruck and maul, scrum. This was composed by Greg Koia. He was the creative mind behind the lyrics of this song. - From political campaigning to the kapa haka campaign, how was the journey to Te Matatini 2023, the goals set? Were those goals met by Te Pou o Mangatawhiri? - Our campaign to this Matatini was three to four years long. - Tika. Tika. - Our main goal, the goal set by the core group, was to bring back the excitement to kapa haka. - (EXCLAIMS) - It's not like we wanted to go and throw and play marbles, no. If a person was to say they were only going to support the event, they are lying. - (LAUGHS) - The competition is the main reason. Te Matatini is the vehicle. The foundation was set for our team to follow and for when it comes time for our children to join the ranks. This is fulfilling that foundation set by our matriarch, Te Puea. - Pai. While we are talking about the foundation of Te Pou o Mangatawhiri, what is the criteria set for performers wanting to join and get to the level of Te Pou o Mangatawhiri's greatness? - (LAUGHS) - Give me three of Paumea's expectations for Te Pou o Mangatawhiri. - (CHUCKLES) We say, kapa haka is the beginning and end of the world. Our main focus is, kaupapa. That is, the Kingitanga and our iwi, Waikato. If someone is wanting to join our group, they must know that. So, three things they must know ` firstly, making a bed. - Ka pai. - Because our group prepares 200 to 400 beds every coronation, every poukai. If you're room is not tidy at home, then don't bother coming. - Stay in your room! (LAUGHS) - Making beds, that's the first one. Secondly, they must know how to scrub and clean bathrooms. - CHUCKLES: Tika! - Our group is used to cleaning and scrubbing toilets at Turangawaewae marae at every occasion held there. - There's no other job like it. - Oh. Te Puea said, 'Strive every day for the betterment of our people'. Third, they must know to wash and dry dishes. Those are probably the three things for them to know. - Making beds, scrubbing toilets and washing dishes, the three criteria. There's no better criteria than those. Well, let's get back to cleaning dishes as we take a break. When we return we continue our discussion about this top team, Te Pou o Mangatawhiri. - IN TE REO MAORI: Welcome back. Bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao! Let's turn to the poi. That poi was composed by yourself. Pau, that poi placed first at this year's competition, and I heard that was your first ever Te Matatini composition. - Mm, tika. - IN ENGLISH: Oh, jeez! IN TE REO MAORI: What a legend! Talk to us about that experience of composing for the first time at such and elite standard. - IN TE REO MAORI: That poi is called Ruhi. It was composed in 2021. - Ah. - 2021. My dad gave me the keys to drive and said, 'You do the poi this year.' I was so nervous. However, I like those sorts of challenges. So I took those keys and composed. The topic was talking about the journey of Te Puea and her tribe from Mangatawhiri to Ngaruawahia, to Turangawaewae. - I think Te Pou o Mangatawhiri are experts when it comes to this item. What is poi to the women and men of Te Pou o Mangatawhiri, knowing your group have excelled in this items over the years? Tell me the secret behind it all. - The secret is, you must have tough skin. - (CHUCKLES) - I say that because my mum is tough. (LAUGHS) My mum is tough. If your arm is not fully stretched you get hammered. The way the actions, hand and feet are all in sync are fruits of hers, my sister and others teachings. So tough skin and youthful knees are the way. (LAUGHS) - Get fit or go home! (LAUGHS) - Exactly! Exactly. One must know that when they join, the creativity of the poi is out the gate. Every year the standard gets higher and higher. The challenge for that item is trying to find another level to hit each time. That's the secret ` tough skin, because my mum is one tough lady. - (EXCLAIMS) Also, being a mother is not easy. - Mm. (CHUCKLES) - Your mum is on another level in this game. Let's take a look at Te Pou Mangatawhiri's poi. (STIRRING GUITAR MUSIC PLAYS, MAN SINGS IN TE REO MAORI) (WOMAN CALLS IN TE REO MAORI) (ALL SING IN TE REO MAORI) (MEN SHOUT IN TE REO MAORI) (ALL SING IN TE REO MAORI) (MEN EXCLAIM) (ALL SING ANTIPHONALLY) (ALL SING IN TE REO MAORI) (MEN PERFORM HAKA) - (SINGS IN TE REO MAORI) (ALL JOIN IN) (ALL CALL IN TE REO MAORI) (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) - IN TE REO MAORI: Te Pou o Mangatawhiri is our topic of conversation for Te Matahaka today. The person here to talk to that is Paumea Walker. - (CHUCKLES) IN TE REO MAORI: Greetings. - Every year you guys get better and better. What is Te Pou o Mangatawhiri's stance, Pau? - Our stance is not unique or peculiar. Every campaign, every season, new performers join the ranks to learn from us. They ask, 'What is Te Pou o Mangatawhiri's style?' Our answer, the style is what each and every one of you bring to the group. That's Te Pou o Mangatawhiri's style. However, from a viewer's perspective, the style is probably our sharpness and in-sync style. But our kaupapa refers to the three things I said earlier. - So, what's on the cards for this year's regional competition, Pau? - (LAUGHS) - Also, knowing you are reigning regional champs. How is preparation going as we get nearer to competition? Are you ready? Is Te Pou o Mangatawhiri ready? - Oh, hell no! (BOTH LAUGH) Hell no. I think we've only had two meetings amongst the core, so far. So, I can't share with you any secrets at the moment. However, come April 2024, yes, we'll be ready. - Well, tell us, will it be your turn as male leader at the regionals? - Hell no! - Will there be any new leaders, Pau? - Watch for April 2024. - (LAUGHS) Ka pai. While we wait for April, what are the goals this year for Te Pou o Mangatawhiri? What are the goals for the future of the team? - At this point, a few of our stalwarts have stepped down... - Oooh! - ...this year to make way for the new generation coming through. The goal for this regionals are the same as any other competition. We are not going there to sing ring-a-ring-a-rosey, play marbles and what not. We are going to fight; we are going to war. But also knowing kaupapa is key for us to get to where we are. - Ooh! Ka pai. Ka pai. Thank you, Te Pau, o Mangatawhiri. I must thank you for making yourself available to join us. The time has run out on us. To end, let's take a look at their entrance from this year. Thank you all. (MEN EXCLAIM) (MAN CALLS IN TE REO MAORI) (ALL SING IN TE REO MAORI) - (CALLS OUT IN TE REO MAORI) (MEN GRUNT) (SHOUTS IN TE REO MAORI) (WOMEN VOCALISE OPERATICALLY) (ALL SING IN TE REO MAORI, MEN GRUNT) - (CALLS OUT IN TE REO MAORI) (ALL PERFORM HAKA) (ALL SHOUT, PERFORM HAKA) (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2023