Hundreds of Maori university students will descend on Hamilton to start an annual conference on Thursday.
It's the first time the Waikato University has held the four-day national event, Te Huinga Tauira.
Students will compete in speech, waka ama and sports competitions, and take part in workshops on Maori musical instruments, weapons and star constellations.
Waikato's Maori students' association (Te Waiora) president Kristin Ross said it's all about kotahitanga (unity) and whakawhanaungatanga (networking).
She said it's a chance for all of Maori tertiary students to prosper together.
This year's theme is leadership and how students can be leaders in their hapu and iwi.