Dr Jillian Tipene and Dr Leonie Pihama of Te Kotahi Research Institute. Photo courtesy of Te Mata Punenga o Te Kotahi.
As Te Matatini kicks off this week in Waitaha, Dr Leonie Pihama and Dr Jillian Tipene of Te Kotahi Research Institute at The University of Waikato provide a brief analysis into their scoping report about kapa haka (Māori traditional performing arts).
Te Kotahi used kaupapa Māori research methodologies to investigate the social, economic and educational benefits of kapa haka. Focus groups were held in Waikato, Rotorua, and Christchurch.
One main part of the report findings was that kapa haka is undervalued.
Dr Pihama and Dr Tipene discuss the health, social and economic benefits of kapa haka, and the untapped potential of traditional Maori performing arts with Justine Murray.
The report, Ngā Hua a Tāne Rore, was commissioned by Manātu Tāonga (Ministry for Culture and Heritage) and Te Matatini Ltd.
