AUT’s Titahi Ki Tua invited to Te Matatini stage
• May 13, 2026
AUT’s Titahi Ki Tua won last year’s Te Huinga Tauira. PHOTO: Supplied
AUT’s Titahi Ki Tua have been invited to take the stage in this weekend’s Te Matatini Tāmaki Makaurau senior kapa haka competition.
Pou haka, Aiesha Kahui-Heke has spent recent weeks crafting the performance bracket and leading long hours of training.
“There’s a lot of choreography, a lot of actions and a lot of composing that goes behind the scenes to form a kapa haka,” she says.
Pou haka Aiesha Kahui-Heke is teaching the performance bracket. PHOTO: Gaby Lilley
Although Titahi Ki Tua are a non-competitive group, they took part in Te Huinga Tauira last year, an annual tertiary students’ conference and competition, and took home the overall top spot.
“We made history last year, we were fortunate to win first place at Te Huinga Tauira in the kapa haka section.
“First of many wins for Titahi Ki Tua, it was an awesome opportunity and experience for all of our tauira to get amongst kapa haka and witness such a huge milestone,” Kahui-Heke says.
Titahi Ki Tua’s win left an impressive reputation, leading them to receive a special invite to compete in this year’s senior regionals.
“We were requested by one of the AUT choir masters, he encouraged us to partake on the stage.”
Not only did their win open new performance opportunities, it also encouraged newcomers to take part.
“It has influenced a lot of students to join and has also influenced myself and my co-tutor to continue these teachings.”
Kaihaka Mila Guttenbeil says the group has dedicated more than 100 hours over the past few weeks to learning and refining the bracket in preparation for the stage.
Titahi Ki Tua’s invitation to compete was something not many have experienced.
Titahi Ki Tua are training for this weekend’s regional competition. PHOTO: Gaby Lilley
She says it is a “huge achievement” for herself and the association.
“It’s the first time TKT has ever been invited, and I don’t think many other uni associations have been invited to do the same.
“It’s pretty big, and it will just lead to more and more things for TKT, which I love to see.”
The Te Matatini Tāmaki Makaurau senior regional competition takes place on the 16th and 17th May at Spark Arena.
Following this weekend, Titahi Ki Tua will begin training for Te Huinga Tauira 2026.
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