Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue are one of the six team who will represent Te Arawa at Te Matatini. Te Mātārae I Ōrehu, Te Pikikōtuku o Ngāti Rongomai, Tūhourangi / Ngāti Wahiao, Ngāti Rangiwewehi and Te Hikuwai were also selected to advance. After more than 20 years, the group say it is the elders who are most excited about them returning to the national arena. Ohinemutu won the award for best new group, but it was the stores and themes the performances represented that people loved the most. Mere McLean reports: Tenga Rangitauira (Kaihaka, Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue), Te Po Mitai-Ngatai (Kait`taki Tāne, Te Mātārae I Ōrehu), Monty Morrison (Ngāti Whakaeu, Te Arawa).
Hak a representatives from Wellington are attending all the haka regionals to distribute information packs to those teams which are selected for Te Matatini. Te Teira Davis says it about ensuring the teams are supported any all possible ways. Te Teira Davis (Te Whanganui a Tara).
The Prime Ministers delegation to the Pacific departed today on a mission to visit Samoa, Niue, Tonga and the Cook Islands. The Government are calling this a Pacific reset as it is the first time that Jacinda Ardern will tour the region as Prime Minister. A focus of the trip will be the recovery and resilience of the Islands, especially those who were affected by Cyclone Gita. Economic development and climate change will also be on the agenda. The Foreign Minister has also said that aid will be boosted as part of a new engagement strategy with our Pacific neighbours. Talisa Kupenga reports from Whenuapai Airforce base.
Indigenous and non-indigenous people of Canada marched today following the not guilty verdict in the murder of teenager Tina Fontaine. Raymond Cormier was accused of killing the Calgary teenager, but a lack of DNA evidence led to a not-guilty verdict. The protests seek to highlight the inequities of the Canadian justice system when it comes to dealing with Indigenous people and the lack of response from law enforcement agencies. Rukuwai Tipene-Allen reports: Lowa Beebe (Kaiwhakahaere), Leanne Gomez (Uri Taketake o Kānata), Garrat Smith (Kaiporotēhi).
The Napier prison in the Hawkes Bay has been given a new lease of life. The 156 year old jail has housed thousands of inmates, including some famous Maori figures such as Kereopa Te Rau. Although it once housed over 80 prisoners, it is now primarily a tourism venture offering a slice of history to its visitors. Opened in 1862, it now has heritage status. Aroha Treacher reports: Ali Beal (Kaimahi, Napier Prison Tours), Toro Waaka (Kahautū, Napier Prison).
The Auckland Over 50 mens team have defeated North Harbour 9 – 5 to win the National Touch Rugby title for the second consecutive year. It is one of the few sporting events which features families ranging from grandparents to grandchildren and over 400 people took to the field in pursuit of victory. Darren Wilkinson (Kāpene, Te Rakipaewhenua), Jamie Laufiso (Kāpene, Tāmaki Makaurau).
The New Zealand Men’s Sevens team defeated Scotland 26-10. It was a match they desperately needed to win to reach the semi-finals.
Fiji have defeated the New Zealand Men’s Sevens 14-10 knocking them out of the quarter-finals of the Las Vegas World Rugby Sevens series.
The Crusaders have defeated the Stormers 45-28 in Super Rugby. George Bridge scored 2 tries in the first half, but the Stormers fought back and dominated play thereafter. The Crusaders went on to reverse that dominance and won their victory in style.
The Hurricanes defeated the Jaguars 26-9 in their Super Rugby match. The Jaguars kept up the pressure on the visitors but were only ever awarded penalties.
Melbourne United have defeated the Breakers 88-77. This means the New Zealand NBL team will need to take their play to the next level in their final 2 games of the series to make it to the final.
A group from the Te Whero whānau participated in the Round the Bays marathon today to raise funds for the ongoing treatment of Hayden Simmons. Simmons suffers from Cystic Fibrosis and the group want to raise awareness of the disease of the need for support for CFNZ. This year’s Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Week runs in August. Lucinda-Jay Te Whero (Ngāpuhi), Hayden Simons (Mai i Warkworth), Jordan Tipene (Ngāpuhi).
A Kapa Haka from Waiheke Island is planning on returning to the ASB Polyfest after a ten year hiatus. Piringākau is preparing to represent the aspirations of the island in the Hauraki Gulf and re-forge relationships which have previously diminished. Rukuwai Tipene-Allen reports: Huhana Davis (Kaiako, Te Kura Tuarua o Waiheke), Kareko Pou (Kait`taki, Te Kura Tuarua o Waiheke), Ted Whatarangi (Kaiako Kapa Haka),