Story: Kapa Haka

1972 Polynesian Festival (1st of 2)

1972 Polynesian Festival

Nationwide kapa haka competitions began with the inaugural Polynesian Festival, held in Rotorua in 1972. Seventeen kapa haka, plus six groups from other Polynesian cultures, took part. Bad weather forced the competitors indoors. This photo shows the overall winners, the Gisborne-based group Waihīrere, led by Ngāpō (Bub) Wehi. The event was professionally recorded, and highlights were later released by Kiwi Records on a commercial LP.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Margaret Parry Collection (PA-Group-00238)
Reference: PAColl-8969-3
Photograph by Margaret Parry

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Valance Smith, 'Kapa Haka - Urban groups and formal competitions', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/43932/1972-polynesian-festival (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Valance Smith, published 22 Oct 2014, reviewed & revised 9 Feb 2023