The Te Matatini App is back for 2025 - and it’s packing some serious upgrades.
After topping the charts as Aotearoa’s number-one entertainment app when it first dropped in 2023, the latest version has arrived just in time for this year’s competition.
Te Matatini recruited Māori content creator Te Aorere Pewhairangi to get the word out in a crack-up Instagram video.
And while the "shad app" is still in development - we wish anyways - the Te Matatini app is here and ready to go.
So, what’s new?
Haka Translate
One of the flashest features has to be the new haka translate tool. It’ll translate performances in real-time to (mostly) English.
But on the final day of the festival, Saturday, 1st March, there’ll be commentary in a range of languages, including Tongan, Samoan, Cook Islands, Fijian, and Mandarin.
Festival information
The app still has all the essentials in one spot, including a countdown to the competition, and details about the awards, sponsors, judges, and teams - but now there’s a whole heap more.
Content Hub
If you miss a performance, there’s a content hub to let you catch up on all the incredible moments from the competition.
And to hype up the teams, there’s now a social section where you can cheer and celebrate your favourite teams.
People's Choice Award
Fans also get a say with the new People’s Choice Award section on the app. Known as the ‘Aku Mahi’ Kōhine Pōnika memorial trophy, the award is fittingly named and in tribute to the waiata by the legendary composer.
I’ve just downloaded the app and am set for when this year’s competition kicks off on Tuesday 25 February at the Bowl of Brooklands in Pukekura Park.
