The Māori Party wants to increase by tenfold the grant for Te Matatini, the Māori performing arts competition.

Waiāriki candidate Rawiri Waititi, a veteran performer, says kapahaka is not just a performing art but a repository of mātauranga Māori, reo, whakapapa, and history.

It also supports physical health and mental health, teaches teamwork and problem-solving skills, and builds confidence.

The proposal to boost funding from $1.9 million to $19 million a year is based on what ballet and classical music get compared with the size of their audience.

The party’s toi Māori policy also includes a new Māori arts body that receives equal funding to Creative New Zealand and a $10 million research fund to produce evidence of how toi Māori contributes to oranga Māori.

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