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Te Mana Kuratahi wrapped up its four-day long Primary School kapa haka competition today, and whoah there were heaps of powerful performances from the tamariki.

Te Kapa Puawai from Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Hoani Waititi Marae have been crowned the top ropu of the comp.

Are we surprised after this perfect blend of vocals during their waiata?

The Tamaki Makaurau-based ropu competed against 44 other schools from up and down the motu.

"The best 🙌," one supporter wrote on Instagram.

While others left comments sharing they were "proud as" of the ropu.

Te Kapa Haka o Te Puwhariki from Te Kura o Maungatapu placed just behind in second.

"They were magnificent," one applauded the kapa, while another said: "Just love this - so uplifting."

Nga Taiohi from Te Kura o Te Teko came third on the podium.

The competition was hosted in Whakatu, Nelson.

It was epic to see the competition back after a four year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The 45 primary school kapa haka groups across Aotearoa have been battled it with only 25 minutes each to impress the judges.

Each group performed six or seven sections including a whakaeke, waiata tira, waiata tawhito, waiata a ringa, poi, haka and exiting with a whakawatea.

There were many spine-tingling performances that left us with chills for days. Ka pai to all the tamariki who performed!

The next Te Mana Kuratahi competition will take place in 2025.

Published by Sophie van Soest

02 Nov 2023