Te Kuru Marutea perform on the second day of Te Matatini 2025. Photo: suplied/Te Matatini Enterprises
Te Matatini has released four albums of 53 songs performed by groups at this year's festival.
Each kapa picked one song to add to the albums, which are named after the four days of the preliminary competition in New Plymouth in late February.
The album's release follows the viral success of People's Choice Award winner Te Kuru Marutea from Te Tauihu, whose choral song, 'Kei Wareware i a Tātou', tallied a total of 45 million views across multiple social media platforms, according to the competition organisers.
Te Kuru Marutea vocalist Bailee Tava told Midday Report's Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira that the success of the song has been special for kapa haka in the South Island.
"When we went to [Te Matatini] we were so surprised... and grateful for the love everybody gave the waiata.
"It's been super special, not just for us in Te Tauihu, but for everyone in Te Waipounamu just because now we're finally able to shed a bit of light on Te Waipounamu kapa haka," Tava said.
Fellow Te Kuru Marutea vocalist Naia Awatea said the reception to their song has been surreal.
"That's crazy to us little Tauihu girls, it's crazy. But it's exciting and we're just so proud to be able to represent our rohe this far," Awatea said.
The album drop comes two weeks after the competition finals day which saw Toa Whakaihuwaka title winner Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue perform 'He Kōnui, He Kōrua', widely considered the second most popular waiata of the festival.
The Ngāti Whakaue waiata-ā-ringa will join the other performances from the third day of the festival as part of the Te Kei album.
In a media release, Te Matatini Chairman Tā Herewini Parata said the albums' speedy release reflects Te Matatini's commitment to innovation and technology, strengthening the connection between performers, their supporters, and the world.
The albums are available on various music streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
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