Tītahi ki Tua retain national kapa haka title
AUT Māori Students Association Tītahi ki Tua has successfully defended its national kapa haka title at Te Huinga Tauira 2026, continuing a remarkable run of success while earning top honours across a wide range of competitions.
Te Huinga Tauira is an annual gathering of Māori students from universities across Aotearoa, bringing tauira together to kōrero, celebrate culture and compete in academic, cultural and leadership events.
Led by Tumuaki Takirua (co-chairs), Te Amokura Hepi and Te Ahikaa Te Rangi-Trotman, and supported by Pou Haka (Haka-leads), Aiesha Kahui-Heke and Kianu Enoka-Rupapera, Tītahi ki Tua delivered an outstanding performance across the week-long event.
The rōpū claimed first place in Kapa Haka and took top honours in Waiata Tira, Karanga, Whakaeke, Mōteatea, Poi, Waiata Ā Ringa, Haka, Whakawātea, Manu Kōrero, Mita o Te Reo, and prepared speeches in both te reo Māori and English.
Tītahi ki Tua also earned second place in impromptu speeches in both te reo Māori and English, and third place in both Dance and Te Kairangi o Te Reo Tūhi.
Adding to the celebrations, AUT tauira Willow Dearnley received the Manaakitanga Award, recognising her contribution to the kaupapa and wider Te Huinga Tauira community.
For Pou Haka Aiesha Kahui-Heke, the result builds on the milestone achieved by the rōpū last year.
"Winning kapa haka at Te Huinga Tauira last year for the first time not only engraved Tītahi ki Tua’s name in AUT history, but it also set the standard for what we knew this rōpū was capable of. To win it again this year is something that no words, no waiata and haka could ever explain,” she says.
“After two years as a tutor, this feels like such a bittersweet moment. I feel so grateful to have been part of this journey and to witness the growth of our tauira both on and off the stage. My hope is that the next generation continues to push boundaries, backs each other, and remembers that what we build together is bigger than any trophy."
This year's performances carried special significance, with the rōpū dedicating its poi performance to Dr Tangaroa Paora, Associate Dean Academic in Te Ara Poutama and a former member of Tītahi ki Tua.
Dr Paora was the first member of Tītahi ki Tua to complete a PhD and be recognised as a doctor, a milestone the rōpū chose to honour through its performance.
The poi performance drew inspiration from Rere Atu Taku Poi, Dr Paora's acclaimed children's book, which has received national and international recognition and was later adapted into an award-winning stage production.
The group also dedicated a performance to Colleen Leauanae, Te Pou Hono in AUT's Office of Māori Advancement, acknowledging her ongoing support of Tītahi ki Tua and the many tauira who have come through the rōpū.
Reflecting on the dedication, Leauanae says she was touched by the acknowledgement. “I was deeply humbled to be gifted such a beautiful waiata, it is something I will cherish always,” she says.
“I’m proud of Tītahi ki Tua and all they do for our tauira and the wider AUT whānau. They embody the dreams and aspirations of our tūpuna, continuing to forge pathways for those who follow behind them.”
AUT Vice-Chancellor Damon Salesa congratulated the students on their achievement.
"Congratulations to everyone involved in Tītahi ki Tua on another outstanding performance at Te Huinga Tauira. To defend a national title while excelling across so many disciplines is a remarkable achievement and reflects the dedication, talent and collective strength of these tauira."