Day three of Te Matatini was packed with powerhouse performances, but one group that truly turned up the intensity dial was Te Pikikōtuku o Ngāti Rongomai.
From the get-go, they stepped onto the stage and made their presence known - commanding everyone’s attention with an incredibly strong entrance.
There were too many standout moments across the groups whakaeke, waiata-ā-ringa, poi, and haka to focus on just one.
Every movement and every transition made it impossible to look away until they left the stage - we were locked in.
The poi was flawless! The formations and movement flowed together effortlessly.
And can we talk about that final stance from the wāhine? Ataahua!
The moment that’s already gone viral on all of Te Matatini’s socials is their haka - and for good reason.
The tāne at the front led with mana as the group fiercely handled their patu and mau rākau.
Their energy was unmatched, proving that Te Pikikōtuku o Ngāti Rongomai knows how to close out a Te Matatini performance with power and style.
One thing’s for sure, this group has left their mark on the festival. Now, we’ll need to wait to see if they’ve done enough to secure a spot in the finals on Saturday, March 1st.
With other rōpū bringing their best - like Te Whiri Kōkō o Rangitāne with their flirtatious and cheeky performance, and Te Kuru Marutea o Te Tauihu, whose soloists absolutely wowed with ther ataahua vocals - it’s going to be one heck of a tough decision for the judges.
