NGĀTAI Awa Te Toki 2024 – a massive festival celebrating kapa haka – kicks off tomorrow in Whakatāne.

Taking place at Rugby Park over two days, the festival is expected to draw upwards of 6000 visitors.

Organising committee chairman Reweti Elliott said the 31 teams taking part would be representing their Ngāti Awa sub-tribes, or hapū, and would deliver brackets in different categories, including tamariki (children), whakataetae (competitive) and whakangahau (entertainment).

Good numbers are expected to come along and enjoy the performances over the two days.

“Last time, 6000 people attended – it was spectacular – and this year we are expecting to exceed that number,” Mr Elliott said.

Te Toki aims to promote unity and pride within Ngāti Awa and provides a platform for each hapū within Ngāti Awa to display their Indvidual hapūtanga and Ngāti-awatanga.

“It has significance for the revitalisation of te reo Māori, specifically Ngāti Awa reo,” said Mr Elliott.

“It is also to reconnect those people who live away from their marae, their hapū, with the whenua, and where they are from and bring all our descendants of Ngāti Awa home to reconnect with each other.

“It also celebrates our unique style, our unique kaupapa as Ngāti Awa.”

Mr Elliott said the kaupapa of Te Toki began in 2014 and it was a biennial event.

“It was started by two strong women, Della Te Poono and Waitangi Black. It was through their vision that the festival has grown to what it is today.

“Della has passed away since then and a lot of our kaupapa, songs sung today, are to celebrate her.”

A huge marquee has been erected in Rugby Park for the performances which begin at 8am with a karakia and finish at 5pm tomorrow and 6pm on Sunday, with prizegiving at 5pm on Sunday.

Entry is by gold coin donation, through the aquatic centre gate.