A place in the poi line

This year's Te Matatini kapa haka competition was a huge success. The four-day event has been described as the Olympics of Maoridom, and drew a crowd of about 40,000 to Auckland's Eden Park, as well as an online and TV viewership of around 1.4 million.

- AROHA AWARAU

For me, it stands out not just because of its large audiences, but because of one group who managed to break down the gender barrier.

The biennial event attracts more than 40 kapa haka teams from around Aotearoa and Australia to compete in traditional performances, such as the haka and poi. It showcases the world's best kapa haka groups, and the fiercely competitive environment demands a high level of physical stamina and endurance.

Since Te Matatini started in 1972, many groups have used gimmicks and nontraditional components to give them an edge. Their modern interpretations, which are infused with traditional elements, show that kapa haka is always evolving and can be contemporary. We've seen acrobatics, men walking on stilts, trumpets playing, mechanical poi, dart-like ribbons being shot into the audience, and much more.