About Us

Timeline

Our History

1965

Our Story

Founded in 1965, the Waitaha Cultural Council Trust has been a steadfast advocate for the performing arts in Te Waipounamu. Our legacy spans generations, honouring the mātauranga, tikanga, and mana of our tīpuna while nurturing the next wave of performers.

The visionary dream of Te Kiato Riwai, affectionately known as Kia, take seed. With the strength of Aoraki to draw on, the wairua of her tīpuna to guide her and the love and support of her whānau and friends, Kia’s dream of young Māori and their whānau learning their heritage and participating in their culture, like the newly formed fronds of the pītau, began to slowly unfurl.

A steadfast belief that through these disciplines Māori could develop further in whatever field they desired saw Kia travel the length and breadth of Te Waipounamu establishing the ongoing vision and legacy that still holds strong today.

Kia Riwai’s legacy was borne out of pride, passion, commitment, and a real sense of whakawhanaungatanga. It was this stalwart sense of identity and community that had earlier inspired Kia, who joined with others to establish the Kāti Ōtautahi Association during the war years 1939–1945, thus enabling assistance for the men in the Māori Battalion based overseas.

From the 1950s to the 1960s Kia poured her energy into organising cultural competitions, initially starting with Motueka seasonal workers. After the success of these initial competitions Kia decided to send out invitations to the various rohe throughout Te Waipounamu.

Kia wrote: “An invitation is therefore extended to all clubs, associations, groups and concert parties in the South Island to participate in this venture, which it is hoped will be the forerunner of annual competitions.”

Te Kiato Riwai passed away in 1967 though her living legacy continues to be remembered and fostered under the guardianship of Ngā-pakihi-whakatekateka-o-Waitaha. This name was officially bestowed by Ngāi Tahu kaumātua in 1967 at Tuahiwi.

Today Ngā-pakihi-whakatekateka-o-Waitaha not only continues to pay homage to the work and vision of Kia Riwai but equally as important to the kaumātua who worked so diligently throughout Te Waipounamu forming cultural groups with marae/rūnanga and local towns. The challenge and acceptance of friendly competition between marae/rūnanga evolved to become the forum for the district and national festivals as we know them today.

Whilst Kia Riwai’s vision enabled the first official cultural competition in Waitaha to take place, other Māori cultural performance groups prior to this had been gradually establishing an indigenous performance niche in the national and international arena. This was essentially due to the advent of transport in the last century which enabled cultural groups from Te Waipounamu to seize the opportunity to travel. One such group was the successful Waiata Concert Group. Made up of youth from kāika of Waitaha, Ōtākou and Murihiku, the Waiata Concert Group travelled extensively through Europe during the 1930s under the auspices of Father Seamer of the Methodist Māori Mission.

Another esteemed group from Waitaha also noted for pioneering Māoritanga through cultural performances was Melodies of Maoriland. Comprised entirely of youth from Tuahiwi the group was established during the early 1950s. Led by kaiwhakahaere and treasured mentor Te Ari Pitama, Melodies of Maoriland delivered awe-inspiring performances to numerous marae throughout Te Ika-a-Māui and Te Waipounamu.

1986

New Zealand Polynesian Festival Committee

Twenty-one years on from the first official Te Waipounamu Māori Cultural Competition of 1965, the Waitaha Cultural Council proudly hosted the 1986 National Polynesian Festival at QEII Stadium, Christchurch. Aware that a national competition of this magnitude has not since graced Te Waipounamu, it is the aim of the Waitaha Cultural Council to ensure it rightfully returns.

In order to cement this intent, the members of the Waitaha Cultural Council continue to show great determination and dedication to honouring Kia’s legacy. Hori Te Otinga Brennan, a long-serving council member since the 1950s, was proactively involved in the development of Māori culture within the Waitaha/Canterbury region.

As an acknowledgement to Hori Brennan, who passed away in 1992, and as testament to his commitment, mahi and mana, the Memorial Taiaha Scholarship was established. Today, many young men have benefited from this scholarship, the rewards of which are evident in their highly distinguished performance skills and in the essential contribution they make to the accurate guardianship of tikanga.

2005

40th Commemorative Celebrations

Four decades after its original inception, Waitaha Cultural Council Ngā-pakihi-whakatekateka-o-Waitaha took great honour in hosting the 2005 Waitaha Cultural Festival 40th Commemorative Celebrations. A majestic 40-year legacy that has only been made possible by the immeasurable aroha, insight and commitment of those who paved the way before us, and by those who continue to support and ensure the continuation of this legacy by promoting Māoritanga through the medium of Māori performing arts.

To all of you, our sincerest gratitude and aroha, for we and our future generations are truly grateful.

2015

Te Matatini he ngākau aroha

In 2015 we were humbled to host Te Matatini he ngākau aroha and welcome the motu to Putaringamotu, North Hagley Park, in Christchurch.

We utilised this as an opportunity to not only showcase kapa haka excellence but also thank the motu for their kindness after the devastating Christchurch earthquake in 2011, where we as a rohe received so much generosity and support nationally and internationally.

We look forward to hosting once again in 2041.

Region

Our Rohe

Kaikōura to Murihiku

Our kaupapa reaches across the Waitaha region – from the kaikō of Kaikōura to the deep sounds of Murihiku. This whenua carries the stories, dialects, and voices of many iwi, united under the kaupapa of kapa haka

Governance

Council members

Our Council is made up of dedicated representatives from across the region, many of whom are leaders in Māori education, arts, and iwi development. We also work closely with Te Matatini and local funding partners to ensure kapa haka thrives here in the south.