Nga Pakihi Whakatekateka o Waitaha began as a dream to bring South Island Maori together and foster a sense of pride in their cultural heritage.

Deep in its flax roots, Nga Pakihi Whakatekateka o Waitaha has drawn on the energy and passion of its founder, Te Kiato Riwai, to become a leading voice in promoting Maori performing art festivals.

As a young woman, Te Kiato Riwai, affectionately know as Kia, established the Kai Otautahi Association in 1939 to help the men in the Maori battalions fighting overseas in World War II and their families back home.

According to the Honorable Whetu Tirikatane Sullivan, Te Ari Pitama’s ropu exemplifed the true traits of kapa haka in the South.

“Kapa haka is about the uniqueness of Maori theatre, it’s about drama, about romance, about our culture, our tikanga, our reo, our mita, the blending of our exquisite harmonies, and the lively choreography that best depicts and describes the rhythms, passion and rich colour of Ngai Tahu life."

Waiata Concert Group

Believing that empowerment was possible through performing art Kia travelled the length and breadth of Te Waipounamu to revitalise kapa haka as a means of restoring cultural pride and mana. With the strength of Aoraki to draw on, the wairua of her tipuna to guide her and the love and support of her whanau and friends she set up the first ever official Maori Cultural Competition involving all districts of Te Waipounamu in the Theatre Royal in Christchurch in 1965. This was the forerunner to the many district and national festivals that are now held throughout the country today.

Te Kiato Riwai passed away in 1967 though her living legacy continues to be remembered and fostered under the guardianship of ‘Nga-pakihi-whakatekateka-o-Waitaha’. This name was officially bestowed by Ngai Tahu kaumatua in 1967 at Tuahiwi.