Williamstown Whakaeke

Nga Manu Waiata are in dress rehearsal for the Australian national kapa haka competition – the group representative of 110,000 Maori who have made Australia their home. Thomas Rangihuna steps forward and welcomes everyone. Rangihuna came to Australia in 1994 but like many Maori over here, he plans to go home at some time in the future. Maori in Australia – known sometimes as “Maussies” – are part of New Zealand’s massive diaspora. In Melbourne, Maori have owned land at Diggers Rest for 20 years but have not been able to raise enough money to build a centre on it. They make do with scout halls, bowling clubs or other people’s community centres. They have adapted. Rangihuna says kapa haka is much more than entertainment. It’s a vehicle for keeping the Maori language alive. “Actually,” he says, “everything to do with kapa haka is intrinsically about maintaining the customs and traditions of our people.”