The incredible Taisha Tari offers a particularly unique experience of Maori culture and waiata/song. The kind of vocalist who gives you goosebumps, Taisha has carefully and thoughtfully curated a few different ways she can present the waiata, each capturing a unique aspect of our Māori culture:

~ A full-Scale Performance with a Māori Cultural Group: This would feature a large group of performers, creating a dynamic and immersive cultural experience.

~ Intimate Ensemble with Six Performers: A smaller, focused group that highlights the power and beauty of Māori vocal harmonies.

~ Solo Performance: “Just” Taisha - and her connection to the song, bringing a deep, personal interpretation that resonates with the themes of "Karanga," suitable for moments of reflection within any event. For the performance of this song Taisha can also provide full video backing visuals at 4k resolution, with an embedded backing track, showcasing the beautiful Westcoast of the South Island, a truly spectacular vocal and visual experience. Here is the full version - just imagine this, performed live, in front of a big screen - the impact of this incredibly moving performance will leave your guests absolutely blown away, a memory they will never forget.

Creating music for me, is a connection to wairua, which is carried in melody and lyrics, that connects me to the heart where my tupuna live on.

 It is powerful medicine, it has the ability to heal and pierce through your heart like an arrow, and effect you for a lifetime..

HAKA EXPERIENCE: Utilising their passion and energy of this generation alongside the experience they have gained in the Māori performing arts industry, this amazing Auckland based Kapa Haka group presents an authentic Māori cultural experience as they share with you the beautiful performances and dance of Māori Culture. Witness the powerful warriors and alluring wahine (women) take you on a journey of papa haha, starting with a Haka Pōwhiri - the traditional Māori welcome. This is an integral part of Maori culture, making the Manuhiri (visitors) feel a part of our beautiful country.

During the performances you will experience: Moteatea (Traditional Chant) - Drift into the past momentarily with the mystic chants of yore. Waiata-a-ringa (Action song) - Action songs. History and legends retold in song and dance. Tap your feet to the harmonious action songs. Poi - Poi symbolise the sound and movement of New Zealand native birds. Be enthralled by the captivating poi. Haka (War Dance) - The haka is the most widely known performance as used by the All Blacks (New Zealand's national rugby team) to challenge their rivals. The haka was originally used as a WAR CRY and as a preparation before battle. Witness the Māori weaponry display and the powerful haha.

The group is a hugely popular choice for shows ranging from trade shows, cruise ships, official openings or launches, welcoming overseas guests at corporate or trade events, conferences and private functions.

TWK wowed the world when they performed for the opening ceremony for FIFA 2023 in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland, as well as many of the associated events during the tournament.

TWK began in 1986 and at that time it was called Te Pou Whakairo. It was activated by the group’s iwi, Ngāti Whātua, to represent who they were, and provided them with the ability to perform and welcome the masses - not just through ngahau (entertainment), but through pōwhiri (traditional māori welcome).

Leader Piripi was born into this world knowing his heritage through song and dance. His first kapa haka nationals were in his mother’s womb and his first oratory through mōteatea history and pātere (traditional waiata/chants).

Now renamed Te Whare Karioi (The House Of Entertainment), the group is able to engage with all walks of life, and welcome each and every person to the shores of Tamaki Makaurau, The Waitematā. TWK is a vehicle to express Māori culture, values, and way of life. Karioi is a word that is used in Te Ao Māori for entertainment in general. This whare is a central place for all rangatahi (youth) to come together, sing, dance, whakawhanaungatanga (create relationships) and to continue to tell their stories the way they love to tell them, as they know best - through kapa haka.

TWK has a long rich history within the tapestry of Tāmaki Makaurau. For generations they have been taking the Māori cultural experience to the world. Piripiri has chosen to carry on this legacy not just because of the importance of gracing the world with Māori culture, but to provide mahi (work) and hand down mātauranga māori (knowledge) to the rangatahi (young people).

TWK offers different packages to suit the size of the event, from private functions to major outdoor events. The minimum time Te Whare Karioi performs is 7 minutes (and a minimum of 8 kaihaka/performers), the maximum time is 20 minutes (and up to 20 kaihaka). Charges are not based on the time, they are based on the size of the rōpū, the type of event, and the location.

What is a haka pōwhiri? A WELCOMING OF MANUHIRI (VISITOR OR GUEST) TO A PLACE.

1. Blowing of the pūtatara and pūkaea (traditional māori instrument). The purpose of this is to alert the iwi (host tribe) that people are coming.

2. The karanga (the call). The purpose of the karanga is to open up the veil to the spiritual world to be the anchor that navigates the unknown between the iwi and the manuhiri. In Te Ao Māori, the anchor has to be fixed in place as you never know the true intentions behind the arrival of newcomers. The karanga in events not just to protect the host and provide that anchor, but to in its full essence, welcome those that are new to the whenua (land).

3. The haka pōwhiri (the welcoming haka). This represents the group’s identity. They perform the haka pōwhiri as this tells people who they are, it tells their story, it tells their history, it tells their legacy.

4. Karakia & Mihimihi. Opening prayer and the formal greeting to all of the manuhiri (visitors).

5. Waiata tautoko. The waiata tautoko is a waiata that supports and acknowledges the speaker, and it is often a song that reflects the speakers kaupapa (topic). 

As you can see there are two different types of clothing - wahine/women;

• The pari - traditional dress with the patterns, the pare (headband) and feathers - poi can also be part of their uniform.

• The pake - a feathered, woven garment that drapes over the wahine's shoulders over top of our team uniform. 

• All our wāhine can also have moko (the face tā moko on the chin)

Tāne/men; Men are all the same. They'll be painted wearing moko, traditional bone carvings, māro (traditional war clothing), and have taiaha (weaponry) on them.