(GENTLE GUITAR MUSIC PLAYS) (MAN VOCALISES) (WOMAN SINGS IN TE REO MAORI, ROPU VOCALISE) (ALL SING IN TE REO MAORI) (ALL SING SOFTLY IN TE REO MAORI) (TRIO SING IN TE REO MAORI) (ALL SING IN TE REO MAORI) (MEN SING IN TE REO MAORI) (WOMEN JOIN IN) (MEN SING IN TE REO MAORI) (ALL SING IN TE REO MAORI) - ALL: Hi! (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) - IN TE REO MAORI: To our people passed, go forth. Those of us here, welcome to Te Matahaka. Tairoa, my friend, welcome! - Tena koe. Tena koe. - Bring forth your loved ones who have passed on, also that lovely song, sung at Te Matatini. Can you explain to us what that song was about? - IN TE REO MAORI: A key principle at Te Matarae, passed down by Irirangi Tiakiawa ` a part of the action song item must be dedicated to our loved ones. The beginning of the song is dedicated to that. The context is paying homage to the sons of Paewhiti, Sir Timoti Karetu, Sir Pou Temara and Professor Te Wharehuia Milroy. - Another of those passed is your mother. You are one of her legacies of the group. What are your memories of your mother when she was part of the group? What were her teachings to you as a performer of Te Matarae i Orehu? - My mum's last words to me were 'Cherish the treasures of the cherished Kowai'. - Aww. - IN ENGLISH: It's a privilege to grow old. IN TE REO MAORI: Meaning, Te Matarae i Orehu is not only kapa haka. I was born into this group. This is my family, my aunties, my uncles. I am very fortunate. My children are fortunate. The wise words of our elders are, 'And what if I die, my legacy lives on in my children'. Those words were encouraged by my mother to me. 'Follow me. 'Teach me and learn.' - Mm! How good! You are not the only legacy amongst the group. There are many of you that are the faces of your parents. There are the likes of Te Rangimoana, the Savages and others. What is it like sitting with those legacies or being amongst that at Te Matarae i Orehu? - Those were our superheroes growing up. - (CHUCKLES) - Watching our uncles and aunties with their long hair, ears pierced and knowing we will be standing with them one day. There is nothing like standing alongside those you have grown up with. You know and they know what our parents had to go through and what the group had to go through. It's also a safety thing looking to your left and right and seeing your brothers there or looking behind you and they are right there too. I'm very lucky. - Mm. You were taught the principles of Te Matarae i Orehu that were set as the foundation. Let's talk about those principles or standards. What are the three standards set for performers at Te Matarae i Orehu to get to the standard required? - I'm trying to pull that question apart while sitting here. What are the three standards? There is only one main one, the reason people come to Te Matarae i Orehu is to learn from Matua Wet. They come to learn the knowledge he has. Believing in his teachings is key. You are a student. You come to learn from Matua Wetini, whether it be male or female. He is an expert in everything. What you see on stage is all him. Poi, haka, song ` everything is from Matua Wetini. - It's easy to believe and adore people like him. He's an expert in this field. Wait there, when we return we will see and hear other standards set by Koro Wetini. - IN TE REO MAORI: Te Matarae i Orehu has arrived here at Te Matahaka. The representative today is my friend, Tairoa. Tai, greetings. - IN TE REO MAORI: Greetings. - Welcome you and your skills and knowledge to share. Let's talk about kapa haka. Te Matarae are good examples of quality kapa haka. The group are role models when it comes to thrill and power in the context of haka. Why do you think the group is strong is this field? Also, what are the goals set by Te Matarae i Orehu? Tell me your secret when it comes to the haka. - The foundation set is Te Whare Tu Taua. We also want to portray and display our ancestors. IN ENGLISH: Personify our ancestors as best as we can. IN TE REO MAORI: That's the goal every time. The haka, every time you see Te Matarae i Orehu use the stick weapon. That's what differentiates us from the rest. It's all swung the same. It's difficult; you see how difficult some of our haka are. But this haka of Te Matarae i Orehu is different. At the beginning of each campaign our bodies are nervous because we don't know what Parps is thinking. Will it be a peruperu, or will we use rakau? - (CHUCKLES) - This year it was a Taparahi. We were not prepared. It's different each year. That's what excites us. (IN ENGLISH) Always excited. IN TE REO MAORI: We don't know. Most times, it's the first time it has been done. IN ENGLISH: It's always the best idea. IN TE REO MAORI: Our stand on the stage is a watered-down version of what he wants because we can't achieve what he wants. When we don't get it, it changes. He may have aged, none of us can still keep up with him. - (SPEAKS TE REO MAORI) - IN TE REO MAORI: We know when Parps turns up to practice wearing pants, it's going to be cruzy day. But if he wears shorts, we know it's time to stretch the body. - Kia rite! (LAUGHS) Let's watch Tairoa's taparahi skills right now. Here we go. (LEADER CALLS OUT IN TE REO MAORI) (MEN PERFORM HAKA) - (CALLS OUT IN TE REO MAORI) (ALL EXCLAIM) - IN TE REO MAORI: Te Arawa canoe is towed to shore. The person leading is Tamatekapua. His descendant joins us at Te Matahaka today. Tai, who have come to discuss your group with us. The group has been put to rest following Te Matatini. How was the news shared with the group and how did you all feel after that announcement? - IN TE REO MAORI: Although the rest of the nation was shocked, we were ready. It wasn't news to us performers, because after every campaign, he would always say it was time; he was tired. We would encourage him, 'Come on, Parps. Do it for us.' (BOTH LAUGH) He said he wanted to be there for the upbringing of his kids, Niwareka and Taiko. How could we argue with that? Parps is the beginning and end for Te Matarae i Orehu. There is no other. I repeat what I said earlier, people come to Te Matarae i Orehu to learn from Parps. I praise his braveness to put the team to rest. He has been saying it for a long time. Te Matarae i Orehu has not fully been put to rest, but the competition side of things has. - Ae. - I also want to thank you and this show. You have brought to life the talking points of Te Matarae i Orehu. Te Matarae i Orehu will forever live on in Te Whare Tutaua and in our children. Te Matarae i Orehu competitive team has been put to rest, yes. I'm happy for that. But the teachings of Te Matarae are installed in our performers to carry with them. It lives in us, in our children and in shows like this. So, thank you for that. - Oh, what more can we say to end our discussion? Let's get our canoe ready to sail the seas of Te Matahaka with this entrance item by Te Matarae i Orehu from this year. - (SINGS IN TE REO MAORI) (CHEERING) (CALLS OUT IN TE REO MAORI) (ALL PERFORM HAKA) www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2023