Te Matatini is going digital to try to encourage more students to get involved in Pōwhiri and Kapa Haka.

It has created an online resource aimed at teaching English-medium intermediate and secondary school students about official Māori welcomes and performing arts.

The Haka Tū, Haka Ora pilot project, funded by Te Matatini and Te Puni Kōkiri, shows schools the basic steps of pōwhiri and kapa haka and gives them ideas about how to tailor the cultural practices to their individual schools.

Te Matatini chief executive Carl Ross says it is about making Kapa Haka and Pōwhiri more accessible.

“We believe Kapa Haka enhances self-worth, self-esteem, pride and positive identity of being Māori,” he says.

“Our goal is to provide a positive and safe environment for young people to gather, experience and celebrate Māori culture.”

The website goes through the process and all the elements involved in pōwhiri and kapa haka, from karanga to waewae takahia. It lists rules to follow and encourages the use of local protocols and customs.

A series of simple explanations and videos explain the elements of karanga, whaikōrero, waiata tautoko, haka, pūkana, harirū and more.

Head of Māori at Waitakere College Pearl Snowden says it is an exciting tool.

“This resource will be of great use throughout the motu - in particular it demystifies the roles of Tangata Whenua and Manuhiri,” she says.

Mr Ross says Te Matatini wants to grow Kapa Haka excellence in our schools across Aotearoa, while also growing youth leadership.