Te Maurea Whiritoi is made up of students from Hamilton Boys’ and Hamilton Girls’ High School representing the Waikato rohe.
This is their third time on the national stage and the group's name represents the male and female elements of the group intertwining and weaving together as one through the medium of kapa haka.
It also makes reference to the efforts of the members of the group to maintain and build their knowledge of tikanga and te reo Māori through the art of haka.
This group took on the name, 'Te Maurea Whiritoi' in 2009 but the kapa itself has been around for the past two decades.
Tutored by the whānau o Te Maurea Whiritoi, the kapa will be led this year by kaitātaki wahine, Nalini Awhitu-Ball, and kaitātaki tāne, Aiorangi Rangiuaia.
Here is their whakaeke which acknowledges the 150th commemorations of the Waikato Land Wars.
The emphasis of the item focuses on the battle of Ōrākau.
In a recount provided by Hitiri Te Paerata, he makes reference to a strong contingent from Te Tairāwhiti that supported the Ōrākau Battle led by Te Waru, Tamatea and Raharuhi. Once united in battle, the rohe are now reunited 150 years later at this competition, all survivors of the ancestors who fought for the mana motuhake of Māori.