Te Matatini: Med student ready to show the motu her magic

Stacy-Ria (Rongowhakaata, Te Tairawhiti, Tūhoe, Ngāpuhi) is in her fifth year of medicine and surgery, completing her final year of medicine at Waikato Hospital.

The 24-year-old is passionate about Māori health and is set on working as a rata Māori (doctor) for her iwi, hapū and hapori Māori in Te Tairawhiti where she’s from.

“At the core of my aspiration is my people. We need passionate, empathetic and understanding [Māori] doctors to reinstall aroha into the health system for Māori who experience many health inequities,” she says.

Outside of serving Māori communities in the health domain, she is a dedicated kaihaka (kapa haka perfomer) and will perform at Te Matatini with Tāmaki-based group, Te Waka Huia.

“I have been swinging poi since I was in nappies,” she says.

“Growing up, I was either doing kapa haka in kura or watching whānau practice on the marae and perform on the stage. Kapa haka is a part of who I am, it’s integral to my wellbeing.”

Her first rodeo with Te Matatini was in 2019 where she performed with her whānau group, Tu Te Manawa Maurea which she described as the “most exhilarating feeling ever”.

“A personal benefit of doing kapa haka is that I get to spend time with my mum who is also in Te Waka Huia.”

She says after the many months of practise, hardwork, sweat, and sacrifice it takes to prepare a full bracket, there is no better feeling than standing on the stage with your kapa to “show the motu your magic”

“A competitive fire burns in your puku as you take the stage. There are many moments along the journey that make you feel extremely proud to represent your kapa, your whānau, your iwi, and to be Māori.”

Stacy believes that Te Matatini is the ultimate vehicle for cultural revitalisation, and also a unique opportunity to present their views on current affairs within Te Ao Māori.

“[Te Mataini] keeps me engaged in my culture, it challenges me to kōrero Māori, and it connects with other Māori who share a love for kapa haka. The preparation for a Te Matatini campaign is hard work but the skills, memories and connections that are made along the journey make it worthwhile. The final performance is the cherry on top.

“I leave each wananga feeling physically exhausted, but with a replenished wairua and a gratified ngakau.”

Stacy-Ria says Te Matatini is the most anticipated event for Te Ao Māori, it’s every kapa haka fanatics’ dream come true.

Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland, is a sponsor of Te Matatini Herenga Waka Herenga Tangata National Kapa Haka Festival 2023, in support with the Univeristy’s Iwi-manaaki and hosting rohe, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. Te Matatini brings together the country’s most elite Kapa Haka groups in celebration of Māori culture. The festival is held biennually in different cities and is welcomed back to Tāmaki Makaurau after 21 years. The University of Auckland’s sponsorship aligns with Taumata Teitei, the University’s strategy to enhance kaupapa Māori.