Ngā Taiohi a Hauiti combines the students of Tolaga Bay Area School, Kahukuranui, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Taonga Tūturu ki Tokomaru and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Uri ā Maui.
This is the group's fifth appearance at national level since being established in 1999 by Whetu Rangihaeata, Tunis Keelan, Terepu Te Kani, Tania Whakataka,Tauira Takurua, Maria Leilua, Victor Walker and Wayne Ngata.
Ngā Taiohi a Hauiti is part of the overall Te Aitanga a Hauiti strategy for developing excellence in performing arts and strengthening the ahikaa on all their marae.
Tutored this year by Maria Leilua, Earle Karini, Jenny Coleman, the team will be led on stage by their kaitātaki wahine, Te Aotaihi Kutia-Ngata, and kaitātaki tāne, Teina Kirikiri.
Here is their whakawātea which is dedicated to the prestigious whare of Rongowhakaata - Te Hau ki Turanga that currently resides in Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington.
It's a tribute to Rongowhakaata, the ahikaa of Houhoupiko - the land on which everyone has gathered here this week to celebrate this prestigious event.