Ngā Hāpai Ō:The Humble Heroes of Te Matatini

While all eyes remain fixed on kapa taking centre stage at the Bowl of Brooklands in Ngāmotu, an army of volunteers blend into the background as they co-ordinate the festival and manaaki thousands of people and performers a day.

From waste management to kaumātua transport, ticketing to accessibility support, a team of ringa hāpai have come together to ensure that the festival remains a welcoming and inclusive event.

Keeping it clean

Michael Waiwiri, from Taranaki iwi Ngāti Maru, is one of many helping hands tasked with rubbish duty.

While his role may not be the most glamorous, his part in keeping te whenua o te Pukekura Park clean is important.

"I'm part of Ngāti Maru, and all the [Taranaki iwi] are doing volunteer work. It's a hard job, but someone's got to do it.," he said.

Despite the physical demands and the warm day, he finds purpose in his mahi.

"I'm fairly proud to be Māori and to help out in any way possible," he said.

"It's been a day... But we'll get through it."

Waiwiri said while rubbish duty is pretty "hard mahi," using an app that alerts them when the bins are full has helped ease the strain.

"We have roamers who go in and swap out the bins, that's what I'm doing at the moment."

Recalling memories from when Te Kahui Maunga last hosted Te Matatini in 1994, Waiwiri said he feels proud to continue a similar spirit of service that was already part of the tapestry.

Back in the pare kore - rubbish sorting bay, Norissa Taia and Wiki Manu do not hesitate to get their hands dirty.

While there are already people manning the bins on-site, in case of a mix up, Taia and Manu ensure the rubbish is categorised so it can be recycled correctly.

"It's pretty common sense work, you know," Taia said.

Both normally work outdoors for the Taranaki Iwi, most recently harvesting potatoes to prepare for Te Matatini.

Taia said their reason for volunteering at the event was clear.

"It's the first time it's been here in Taranaki [since Te Hāwera hosted], and for us it's the chance to look after the manuhiri that come into Taranaki."

"It's mahi tahi," Manu said.

A safe Haven for Whānau whaikaha

In a vibrant space known as Te Mata-Waiora, volunteers like Kiri Fortune are creating an inclusive haven for whānau whaikaha and hauā.

"This is our space for our whānau whaikaha, our whānau hauā. It's really a he wāhi whakaruruhau, an inviting space for whānau to come have a kai, have a bit of a whakatā (breather)," Fortune said.

"It's a really awesome kaupapa to ensure that all of our whānau have access to Te Matatini o Te Kahui Maunga."

Kitted out with kai, tables, chairs and a screen with a live broadcast of kapa haka, Fortune said the space is "totally inclusive."

"We want whānau to bring as many whānau as they like, just to come and chill out. It's a prime spot too. It's a key kind of segue into our whole kaupapa here. So yeah, Nau Mai Ki Te Mata-Waiora."

Te Mata-Waiora is a collaborative effort born from partnerships between groups like Te Rōpū Waiora, Te Rarama Trust, Whaikaha - The Ministry of Disabled peoples and the support of local community leaders and kaimahi from Te Matatini.

She said while many did not know about Te Mata-Waiora earlier in the week, thanks Te Matatini MC's and local outreach, whānau are not only visiting - they're making it their own.

"We've got some awesome rōpū coming in. They come and have their kai. They go out, watch their favourite rōpū, get a bit hot out there, and then they come back in and have a bit of a rest too."

Originally born and bred in Waikawa in Te Tauihu o Te Waka o Māui, Fortune said when Taranaki Te Hāwera last hosted Te Matatini, she was only 14.

"I do remember watching on TV, I didn't attend. So I was really privileged to be part of our poi pōhiri with my pōtiki as well."

"Potentially, it's the only opportunity in my lifetime that I'll be able to participate in such a kaupapa like that. So yeah, miharo, miharo ana, mō tātou katoa, ngā uri o Te Kāhui Maunga."

The best ride in town

Theodore Anderson has been transporting kaumātua up and down hills at Te Matatini, a job that he absolutely loves to do.

Although waking up at 5am is not highly desired, it's the kaupapa that keeps him driven until he clocks off at 7pm.

"It's a good kaupapa and the wairua carries us through to the next day."

Everyday is different, his favourite part is meeting and greeting new 'nannies and koro' and listening to each of their kōrero.

"Give them a mean tour of the ngahere and just hear their comments about it all. Loving each moment and when I drop them off they're getting into the bush and they've never seen something like this before," he said.

Some people enjoy the ride a little too much.

"They don't want to get off. They're taking me to the wrong entrance all the time, but it's been good. It's been awesome, but that's what I love about the moment."

There are over 10 electric carts that roam freely at the Bowl of Brooklands

Nau mai Haere mai

Another critical facet of the volunteer mahi is the warm welcome that greets every guest at the gate.

Their team works four-hour shifts, ensuring that everyone is safely checked in.

Taranaki local, Tiana Kingi, who is amongst the scanning and ticketing crew said it's the place to be.

"I just love the vibes. It's an awesome environment to be in. Even though I'm out here, I can't wait to go inside and have a, have a look around [and I] can't wait to have a cry down by the stage," Kingi said.

"It's beautiful kaupapa and I'm very excited that it's in Taranaki."

While Kingi and one other are handing out the adult wrist bands at one of the entrances, two others put them on the kids - an initiative that saves parents and caregivers the stress of losing their kids.

"We've got ladies putting wristbands on tamariki that has their names and numbers - for safety reasons of course - in case someone goes tipi haere with someone's nanny and they need finding, they can call the numbers on their wristbands."

Because Kingi is a Taranaki local, she welcomes a lot of familiar faces.

"It's really good meeting whānau that we already know, many new faces of course, meeting babies, everyone's been awesome and positive."