Twenty one kapa haka teams will battle it out in Rotorua today to secure a coveted spot at Te Matatini.
Pōwhiri for Te Matatini at Waitangi Park last year. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
More than 1000 performers are taking the stage at the Energy Events Centre for Te Arawa Kapa Haka Regional Competition, which is expected to attract close to 4000 spectators.
Te Arawa Kapa Haka committee chairman Trevor Maxwell said they had made sure plenty of soap and hand sanitiser was available to spectators, following more cases of the novel coronavirus.
"We're urging everybody not to panic, and not to be complacent but just enjoy the event."
Five teams from Te Arawa made it through to Te Matatini last year, and two of those - Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao and Te Mātārae i Ōrehu - finished up in the top nine.
If they make it through regionals this time, they would be taking the stage at nationals held in Auckland next year.