Current reigning regional champions, Hātea were formed in 2000 by the whānau of Pehiaweri Marae.
The membership is drawn from the whānau of their marae and extends to others who reside in Whangarei, as well as those who travel home from further afield.
According to the tutors of Hātea, Pauline, Joby, Marcia and Otene Hopa, “Kapa haka is a positive kaupapa for the whānau of Pehiaweri Marae – this kaupapa is by design a sustainable development project for the marae that encourages participation by all, irrespective of age, gender or ability.”
Highlights for the team have included representing Te Tai Tokerau at Te Matatini in 2002, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013.
Following their successes in the choral section of the national competitions in 2007 and 2011, Hātea won ‘Te Taonga ā Te Rōpū Waiata Māori o Aotearoa’ for the best choral performance at Te Matatini 2013.
Here is Hātea and their waiata ā-ringa.