Captions by Able. Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2023 (GROUP PERFORMS STIRRING WAIATA) (MEN SING WAIATA) (WOMEN SING WAIATA) (GROUP PERFORMS WAIATA) (GROUP PERFORMS WAIATA) (GROUP PERFORMS WAIATA) (GROUP PERFORMS WAIATA) (TRIO SINGS IN HARMONY) (GROUP PERFORMS WAIATA) (GROUP PERFORMS WAIATA) (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) - IN TE REO MAORI: Whangara is the junction of the people, the coming together of thoughts. Welcome, Anipiki... - (LAUGHS) - ...the descendant of Paikea. Thank you for joining us here at Te Matahaka. - Mm. - That song wowed and uplifted the crowd, who had been waiting a long time to do kapa haka again. There is only one word to describe when you hear that song and Papa D's voice ` electrifying. Can you explain that song to us, my idol? - IN TE REO MAORI: Oh, darling. - (CHUCKLES) - That song, Nga Anawai... was composed in 2021 when we were composing. Uncle D said to us, 'It's a new world,' when we came out of COVID ` well, not fully out of COVID ` but it's a new world ` that's what we wanted to say to everyone. When I was in New York in America... - (CHUCKLES) - ...those were the words that came to mind, so I started composing. I was just grabbing words... - Pai, te mahi a te wai. - (LAUGHS) I was jotting them down on paper, then came the tune. Then I sent it to Uncle and said, 'Fix the words, change it to how you want.' The goal was to go to Te Matatini and show who we are. Here we are ` Whangara in this new world. - Pai, pai. IN TE REO MAORI: While we are talking about this group, your stance is so solid... - Mm. - Women and men, young and old. All the performers are solid. Therefore, can you explain to me what the aim of the group is? And Anipiki too! - (LAUGHS) - Oh, let me put it this way ` What are three secrets or standards a performer must get to to reach the level required for Whangara Mai Tawhiti? - IN TE REO MAORI: Firstly, you are not there for yourself only. - Mm. - You are there to represent the iwi. Don't come thinking you are doing this for yourself ` no. - (CHUCKLES) - You are doing it for the iwi. Therefore, it's a group effort not for oneself. - Mm. - Secondly, you must know how to entertain. (LAUGHS) The uncles of our team, like Uncle Hemi, whom the moteatea and poi is written for ` he is a witty and clever man. Therefore, that sort of humour is required to overcome those situations. Therefore, people must know that kind of spirit. Third, you must be the loving type. You must be loving towards people, and you must be loving towards the kaupapa. You are there to believe in the teachings that are taught to you. Eventually, you will know the benefits, because that's why you return to practices. You travel the distance no matter where you are across the country to support the cause ` all those things. This happens for every iwi group. But, yes, you must have a big heart. - Those are the requirements needed. You are there for your iwi... - CHUCKLES: Ae. - ...you must know humour, and you must have a passion for it all. Hold tight ` we will return shortly to continue our conversation with Anipiki as she tells us how they use these requirements in their poi item. Ooh. - IN TE REO MAORI: Welcome, boyfriends and girlfriends, to Te Matahaka farm! (ANIPIKI LAUGHS) Let's talk sheep and cows ` that was what wowed the crowd, and me too. - (LAUGHS) - You know, I've seen many groups portray animals over time. - (LAUGHS) - I've even done it. - (CHUCKLES) - But to portray an animal beautifully is another story. Tell me where the thought of this poi came from. - IN TE REO MAORI: I'll talk about one of our koroua again, Hemi Leach. - Mm. - This poi is a tribute to Hemi Leach and our nanny, Haereroa. - Oh! - When they were younger... (BOTH CHUCKLE) - ...Uncle Hemi was a shearer, and Nanny Hae said Auntie Cooch was not a rousey but was there looking after the kids. - Pai, pai. - So we thought we needed to compose a song for them two and the world they grew up in. That's how Poiwherene, Keowherene had come about. - What a creative way to acknowledge them! - Well, Poiwherene and Keowherene were pet names for Nanny Hae and Uncle Hemi. She would yell out, (IN ENGLISH) 'Boyfriend!' and Uncle Hemi, (IN ENGLISH) 'Girlfriend!' IN TE REO MAORI: So that's why it's Poiwherene, Keowherene. - (LAUGHS) Ahh. - Mikaia Leach helped with that ` she is the granddaughter of Uncle Hemi and Nanny Hae. - Oh, ka pai! - Therefore... that song was a dedication to them. I had to watch their faces to make sure whether it was good or not, or if they both liked it. - Pai! They are the main observers. - Ae. Ae. The song was then given to our poi queens, Te Ao Mihiata Paenga-Morgan and Hinemihiata Lardelli. Sproat! Hinemihiata Sproat! - You better not forget Sproat. - Mo taku he, girl. (LAUGHS) - They are the princesses of Whangara. - They created the movements. We went to the wool shed ` Whangara B5. (LAUGHS) - B5. (LAUGHS) Pai. - That's where Auntie Lina, Uncle Hemi's wife, explained to us what they do in there. She showed us how they shear sheep. - Real sheep?! - No, no. (LAUGHS) - Oh! (LAUGHS) - She grabbed one of her poi. (LAUGHS) 'Come, come.' - What a great thought to add that experience into creating. - LAUGHS: Ae. - What are Whangara's customs when it comes to poi? - These are the words that my older cousins, Kereana and Lovey, had taught me ` they were my tutors... - Pai. - They said... the poi is you, and you are the poi. - (CHUCKLES) - When the poi flows, so does your body. - (CHUCKLES) - It's not just swinging a poi without body movements. When someone is creating our movements, they aren't just thinking of the words but also the context and the bigger picture. Maybe it's better to portray the words though poi. You see that in Whangara's style of poi ` it's not only the action but the hips and body are moving as well. Although, I think sometimes it's a bit awkward. Your body could be here, and the poi is going the other way. Oh! - But when it all comes together, it's beautiful. - Exactly, eh! That's a gem of ours, I think. It's now a gem now that I've shared it to the world. (LAUGHS) - All good, all good! Let's now swing our poi and watch the video of Poiwherene and Keowherene, the sheep and the cows, in this beautiful poi item. Let's have a look now. - MAN: Poiwherene, Keowherene! (MAN CHANTS) (CHEERFUL GUITAR MUSIC PLAYS) (WOMAN BEGINS WAIATA) (GROUP PERFORMS UPBEAT WAIATA) (GROUP PERFORMS WAIATA) (ALL SING RHYTHMICALLY) (GROUP PERFORMS WAIATA) (GROUP PERFORMS WAIATA) (GROUP PERFORMS WAIATA) (GROUP PERFORMS WAIATA) (WOMEN CHANT, MEN CHANT IN RESPONSE) (GROUP PERFORMS WAIATA) (GROUP PERFORMS WAIATA) (GROUP PERFORMS WAIATA) (WOMEN CHANT, MEN CHANT IN RESPONSE) (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) - IN TE REO MAORI: Ask me what the name of our house is. It is Te Matahaka. The carving on top is Paikea, and here before me is a descendant. Anipiki, darling, greetings. - Ae! - Talking about Whangara Mai Tawhiti, what does the future look like for Whangara? The regional Tamararo for 2024 is coming up. - Ae. - Is the team ready? - Ae! (BOTH LAUGH) Ae, ae! Ae. Every year, the Tamararo competition is held. We're lucky for that. It's an opportunity for all to gather and nurture Te Tairawhiti in kapa haka. Secondly, it's a good practice ground for the future of Whangara. There's nothing like good preparation and development for our tamariki, rangatahi who stand for each team and especially Whangara. (LAUGHS) - Let's talk further about the young people. - Mm. - We have seen more and more joining the ranks of Whangara. - Mm. - How are you feeling as one of the older members of the group? - Oh, I'm very excited, very excited. Uncle D is a big believer in trusting everyone. He is their guide. - IN ENGLISH: We are. We are! - (LAUGHS) - We are! - (LAUGHS) - IN TE REO MAORI: That saying was added to your exit item, even in the composition ` those lines... - BOTH, IN ENGLISH: 'U, we are!' - IN TE REO MAORI: Oh, how clever! Who thought to do that? - Oh, Uncle D. Nah, Uncle D. - Oh, na whai ano. - That's the beautiful thing about te reo Maori and the words of our language. Those that know the language can cleverly manoeuvre words to suit. 'Uia' and 'We are' are one of those examples. The 'u' and 'wi' are the W in the English alphabet. It is like a proverb from home ` wi! - Ah, he wiwi nga pi! - Wi! All those things came together, and we were able to use it on stage to sound like 'we are'. (LAUGHS) - And then the action where it looks like you are swimming... - Ae, ae. - ...has now gone viral. - (LAUGHS) - IN ENGLISH: Trendsetters, trendsetters! - Oh, kia ora! Well, when we did it the first time, I thought, 'Really?' (LAUGHS) But for the belief and passion for our iwi... (LAUGHS) - (LAUGHS) How good, though. Let's dive into this beautiful song now. Let's all watch Whangara 2023. Here you go. (ALL GRUNT, VOCALISE RHYTHMICALLY) (UPBEAT GUITAR MUSIC PLAYS) - ALL: Uia, uia, uia... U! We are! (GROUP PERFORMS WAIATA) (GROUP PERFORMS WAIATA) (GROUP CHANTS) (GROUP PERFORMS WAIATA) (GROUP PERFORMS WAIATA) - (CHANTS IN TE REO MAORI) (GROUP CHANTS) (WOMAN SINGS WAIATA) (MAN SINGS IN HARMONY) (GROUP PERFORMS WAIATA) (ALL CHANT) - ALL: U! We are! (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) (CHEERFUL CHORAL MUSIC)