WATCH: Pukeatua wow with winning debut at Wellington kapa haka competition

Te Kapa Haka o Pukeatua from Te Awakairangi (Lower Hutt) took out the top spot at Te Whanganui-a-Tara regional competition at TSB Arena in Wellington on over the weekend.

The group made an incredible impression during their debut performance - they came confident and it showed!

From the moment their Whakaeke (entrance piece) begins, you can feel the energy building as they launch into strong vocals.

Their lead wahine gets the goosebumps instantly going with the power in her voice, before the performance builds and ends with a fierce finish.

It's no wonder they had the crowd screaming in cheers from the get-go.

They followed with a fast-paced poi item, choreographed to perfection.

The haka from the rōpū was just as strong, with each movement delivered as fiercely as the next. You can’t look away - they hold your attention the whole way through.

The same energy carried through their Whakawātea (exit piece), which you can't look away from.

The beautiful kaikaranga (call) captures your attention before the rōpū harmonise, each making the performance their own, before coming together and ending with just as much energy as they first brought to the stage.

It was an incredible turn out for this year's Te Whanganui-a-Tara regionals. A record 13 groups took to the stage on Saturday, which is double of what they saw at the last comp.

With four qualifying spots for the national competition, Pukeatua will be joined by Tū Te Maungaroa, Te Pū Toi Kura and Ngā Tai Whiringa.

Joining them in the qualifying spots for next year’s national competition are Kōkō Tangiwai (Christchurch), Ngā Manu ā Tāne (Christchurch), Rukutia (Dunedin), and Te Pao a Tahu (Christchurch).

Other strong regional showings around the motu, include Tāmaki Makaurau, which saw popular haka rōpū Angitū take out the top spot.

Their whakaeke (entrance) alone proved they came locked in for the win.

Defending champs Waihīrere also showed why they remain one of Aotearoa’s best during the Tairāwhiti regional kapa haka competition in Gisborne in early May.

Their performance of ‘Takitimu Poi’ was captivating, with fast-paced, razor-clean movements throughout.

In April, longstanding regional champions Te Tū Mataora once again took out the top spot at the Rangitāne regional kapa haka competition.

Te Tū Mataora continued their dominance on stage with a powerful and emotional performance that wowed the audience and cemented their reigning champion status.

These groups and so many more will meet at Te Matatini, where 56 rōpū will bring their best to the stage in February 2027.