February 20, 2017
Reo taniwha emerges in new haka
One of the judges at this week's national Maori performing arts national competition says it's a great way to discover what concerns Maori people.
Mark Kopua is judging the haka section, including the new writing, as well as the costumes.
He enjoys the incremental changes he sees in Te Matatini through the years and the increasing lift in sharpness and expertise across the board.
There are common themes coming through, with many words and saying from the past being put to new purposes.
"One of the enduring kaupapa coming across in the titonga hau is the taniwha that hides away and that taniwha is that our reo is in a state of desperation. They're raising issues that pertain to them," Mr Kopua says.
He says the haka composed by younger groups reflects the different experiences they have to more established kapa.
FULL INTERVIEW WITH MARK KOPUA
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