Te kapa o Te Reureu: keeping the home fires burning
Te Matatini has ensured kapa haka is now a well-recognised form of national entertainment, but this has led to some debate about tradition and contemporaneity, and performance versus deeper politico-cultural kaupapa. Through a case study based in Te Reureu Valley (Manawatū, Aotearoa/New Zealand), we...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2025-10-01
|
| Series: | Kōtuitui |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/1177083X.2025.2509728 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849243633553768448 |
|---|---|
| author | Suzanne Vallance Taruke Karatea Sarah Edwards |
| author_facet | Suzanne Vallance Taruke Karatea Sarah Edwards |
| author_sort | Suzanne Vallance |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Te Matatini has ensured kapa haka is now a well-recognised form of national entertainment, but this has led to some debate about tradition and contemporaneity, and performance versus deeper politico-cultural kaupapa. Through a case study based in Te Reureu Valley (Manawatū, Aotearoa/New Zealand), we explore the political potential of kapa haka, and highlight the role of ahi kā in this vital kaupapa. When tended by ahi kā, kapa haka (re)forged those crucial relationships between awa, whenua and whānau, and strengthened collective efficacy and political literacy. We conclude that ahi kā play a key role in tending practices like kapa haka so as to help Māori negotiate challenges associated with land loss, fractured land ownership and the underutilisation of land, and navigate complex political contexts.Glossary of Māori words: ahi kā: he fires of occupation; ahi matao: cold fire; ahi tere: flickering flame; awa: river; haka: a ceremonial war dance and part 5 of Te Matatini's format; hapū: kinship group; iwi: extended kinship group; kaihaka: tutor; kākahu: to dress (for kapa haka); kauheke: elder; kaumātua: elder; kaupapa: topic, purpose; kawa: customs of the marae: kete: basket; kōrero: tell, speak, discussion; kōrero tuku iho: knowledge passed down; korowai: cloak, safe space for discussion; mahi tahi: working together; mahi toi: artistic expression; mana motuhake: self-determination, control over one's destiny; marae: complex of buildings; mārakai: gardening for food; mōteatea: a traditional chant and part 2 of Te Matatini's format; ngākau: heart and soul; Pākehā: non-Māori; pakeke: adult; poi: light ball swung on the end of a rope. A poi performance comprises part 3 of Te Matatini's format; pūkenga: skill; pūrākau: legend, story; rangatahi: youth; rūnanga: tribal council, governance board of hapū; taiao: the holistic environment, nature; takiwā: tribal district; tautoko: support; te Ao Māori: Māori world view; te reo: the language, Māori language; Te Tiriti: The Treaty (noting differences in wording between the different versions); tikanga: lore, correct protocol; titiro: look; tupuna: ancestors; uukaipō: homelands; urupā: cemetery; wahine: woman; wāhine: women; wahine toa: female leader; waiata-ā-ringa: an action song. Part 4 of Te Matatini's format; waioratanga: wellbeing; whakaeke: a choreographed entry and part 1 of Te Matatini's format; whakarongo: listen; whakawātea: a choreographed kapa haka exit and the final part of Te Matatini's format; whānau: family group; whanaungatanga: relationships, kinship; whenua: land. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ed3e31f3bda848b1ad79a94e84aa60f5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1177-083X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-10-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Kōtuitui |
| spelling | doaj-art-ed3e31f3bda848b1ad79a94e84aa60f52025-08-20T03:59:25ZengTaylor & Francis GroupKōtuitui1177-083X2025-10-012041106111910.1080/1177083X.2025.2509728Te kapa o Te Reureu: keeping the home fires burningSuzanne Vallance0Taruke Karatea1Sarah Edwards2Landscape, Policy and Governance, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Lincoln, New ZealandNgati Rangatahi Matakore, Ngati Pikiahu Waewae and Ngati Konohi, Member of Te Pu Oranga Whenua, Te Reureu (Manawatū), New ZealandManaaki Whenua Landcare Research: Senior Researcher (Environmental Social Science), Lincoln, New ZealandTe Matatini has ensured kapa haka is now a well-recognised form of national entertainment, but this has led to some debate about tradition and contemporaneity, and performance versus deeper politico-cultural kaupapa. Through a case study based in Te Reureu Valley (Manawatū, Aotearoa/New Zealand), we explore the political potential of kapa haka, and highlight the role of ahi kā in this vital kaupapa. When tended by ahi kā, kapa haka (re)forged those crucial relationships between awa, whenua and whānau, and strengthened collective efficacy and political literacy. We conclude that ahi kā play a key role in tending practices like kapa haka so as to help Māori negotiate challenges associated with land loss, fractured land ownership and the underutilisation of land, and navigate complex political contexts.Glossary of Māori words: ahi kā: he fires of occupation; ahi matao: cold fire; ahi tere: flickering flame; awa: river; haka: a ceremonial war dance and part 5 of Te Matatini's format; hapū: kinship group; iwi: extended kinship group; kaihaka: tutor; kākahu: to dress (for kapa haka); kauheke: elder; kaumātua: elder; kaupapa: topic, purpose; kawa: customs of the marae: kete: basket; kōrero: tell, speak, discussion; kōrero tuku iho: knowledge passed down; korowai: cloak, safe space for discussion; mahi tahi: working together; mahi toi: artistic expression; mana motuhake: self-determination, control over one's destiny; marae: complex of buildings; mārakai: gardening for food; mōteatea: a traditional chant and part 2 of Te Matatini's format; ngākau: heart and soul; Pākehā: non-Māori; pakeke: adult; poi: light ball swung on the end of a rope. A poi performance comprises part 3 of Te Matatini's format; pūkenga: skill; pūrākau: legend, story; rangatahi: youth; rūnanga: tribal council, governance board of hapū; taiao: the holistic environment, nature; takiwā: tribal district; tautoko: support; te Ao Māori: Māori world view; te reo: the language, Māori language; Te Tiriti: The Treaty (noting differences in wording between the different versions); tikanga: lore, correct protocol; titiro: look; tupuna: ancestors; uukaipō: homelands; urupā: cemetery; wahine: woman; wāhine: women; wahine toa: female leader; waiata-ā-ringa: an action song. Part 4 of Te Matatini's format; waioratanga: wellbeing; whakaeke: a choreographed entry and part 1 of Te Matatini's format; whakarongo: listen; whakawātea: a choreographed kapa haka exit and the final part of Te Matatini's format; whānau: family group; whanaungatanga: relationships, kinship; whenua: land.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/1177083X.2025.2509728Kapa hakaahi kāresiliencesocial licenceAotearoa/New Zealand |
| spellingShingle | Suzanne Vallance Taruke Karatea Sarah Edwards Te kapa o Te Reureu: keeping the home fires burning Kōtuitui Kapa haka ahi kā resilience social licence Aotearoa/New Zealand |
| title | Te kapa o Te Reureu: keeping the home fires burning |
| title_full | Te kapa o Te Reureu: keeping the home fires burning |
| title_fullStr | Te kapa o Te Reureu: keeping the home fires burning |
| title_full_unstemmed | Te kapa o Te Reureu: keeping the home fires burning |
| title_short | Te kapa o Te Reureu: keeping the home fires burning |
| title_sort | te kapa o te reureu keeping the home fires burning |
| topic | Kapa haka ahi kā resilience social licence Aotearoa/New Zealand |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/1177083X.2025.2509728 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT suzannevallance tekapaotereureukeepingthehomefiresburning AT tarukekaratea tekapaotereureukeepingthehomefiresburning AT sarahedwards tekapaotereureukeepingthehomefiresburning |