Originally as a whakangahau group, Mātua Ora made their debut at this year's Tangata Rau Festival to support the cause and help two groups from their region to advance to next year's National Te Matatini Festival.
Mātua Ora is a composite group of Te Tū Mataora. An initiative of the wider whānau, this whakangahau group came about as a vehicle for the whānau of Te Tu Mataora to participate and learn haka, poi, mōteatea, waiata ā-ringa and more, and ultimately enjoy the fruits of learning Ngā mahi a Tānerore, ā Rēhia.
Today they warmed the crowd with their versions of some popular songs within the Rangitāne region, and indeed across the motu.
Their leaders this year are Manu and Pania Kawana.
NB: It is the request of Mātua Ora that their performance was not made available to be shared on facebook, therefore cannot be posted on the Māori Television website.