Kapa haka could hold clues to improving Māori heart health

A new grant worth up to $300,000, will support a Māori-led research project investigating how kapa haka contributes to cardiovascular health and wellbeing.

The Te Korowai Pūtahi Manawa Kapa Haka and Cardiovascular Health Research Grant invites researchers to explore an area that has long been recognised by Māori communities but has rarely been measured through cardiovascular research.

While studies have shown that kapa haka strengthens cultural identity, social connection and overall wellbeing, little research has explored its physical and physiological impacts, particularly in relation to heart health.

Pūtahi Manawa Co-Director Māori, Associate Professor Karen Brewer (Whakatōhea, Ngaiterangi) says the idea for the grant came from Pūtahi Manawa's Māori governance, who identified kapa haka as an important gap in heart health research.

"We strongly believe the solutions for better heart health for Māori lie within Māori communities," she says. "Kapa haka brings many benefits to health and wellbeing, and this research gives us the opportunity to better understand and measure those outcomes in ways that can influence heart health practice."

She says with Te Matatini 2027 on the horizon, the grant presents a unique opportunity to generate evidence that builds on one of Aotearoa’s strongest expressions of te ao Māori.

While kapa haka is often recognised for its cultural and artistic expression, the preparation behind a Te Matatini performance requires significant physical conditioning. Performers spend months developing strength, stamina and discipline to sustain high-intensity movement, powerful vocal delivery and emotional expression throughout their bracket.  

“There is emerging research indicating that kapa haka, particularly the preparation undertaken for Te Matatini, can improve physical fitness, while also contributing to te reo Māori revitalisation and strengthening a sense of belonging and connection.”

“What our research aims to do is better understand and measure the cardiovascular benefits that participants may already be experiencing and explore how kapa haka can contribute to healthier futures for Māori communities,” she says.

Beyond contributing to understanding cardiovascular health, Brewer says the resulting evidence could have significant implications for healthcare practice.

“As knowledge grows, participation in kapa haka could become recognised as part of approaches to improving heart health, potentially informing cardiac rehabilitation programmes or community-based initiatives that encourage culturally meaningful physical activity.”

Matua Joe Pihema, Pou Tikanga at Pūtahi Manawa, says the grant is an opportunity to build evidence around one of te ao Māori's greatest strengths while contributing to the long-term goal of improving heart health equity for Māori.

"The grant will help facilitate research that establishes baseline heart health data for a kapa haka community while generating insights into the connection between kapa haka and cardiovascular health.

"To achieve our collective vision of heart health equity for Māori in Aotearoa, it's important to have this focused grant, as kapa haka is the most visible expression of Māori cultural revitalisation, with intergenerational whānau, hapū and iwi involvement."

The project will work alongside a kapa haka community to produce research aimed at advancing scientific knowledge that has practical value for whānau and communities.