The inaugural three-day cultural festival will be held from Thursday 17 September to Saturday 19 September 2026. Poumatua Festival will bring kapa haka, kōrero, markets and Māori culture into the heart of the city, with events across Auckland Town Hall, Aotea Square and Q Theatre.
The festival has been brought to life by Tumutumuwhenua Cultural Trust, in partnership with Auckland Live and with support from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Auckland Council Events. On Thursday 17 and Friday 18 September, Te Kahu Tōpuni Kapa Haka Festival will bring primary school tamariki from across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland to the Auckland Town Hall for a non-competitive celebration of kapa haka and culture.
At the heart of Poumatua Festival is Tuku Whenua, a special ōkawa (traditional) ceremony which will be held on the morning of Friday, 18 September, commemorating the tuku whenua of Apihai Te Kawau. The ceremony will acknowledge the allocation of land that enabled the establishment of Auckland and the spirit of generosity in which it was given.
Across the three days, there will be opportunities to attend and take part in a wider programme including Mākete Whātua in Aotea Square, Tuku Kōrero | Tāmaki Talks at Q Theatre and the festival finale, Tuku Iho | Golden Years of Kapa Haka at Auckland Town Hall.
Tumutumuwhenua Cultural Trust representative Huia Pihema says Poumatua has been created as a festival for people to come together and experience Māori culture in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau.
“We’ve created a programme that brings generations together, from tamariki taking the stage through to some of the most celebrated kapa haka rōpū in Aotearoa. We want whānau and communities from across Tāmaki Makaurau to come along, be part of it and experience Poumatua together. This is a celebration of Ngāti Whātua history, our culture and the city we all share.”
The finale on Saturday 19 September will showcase four kapa haka rōpū, part of what was considered the golden era of kapa haka in the 1980s and 1990s, Waihīrere, Te Waka Huia, Ngāti Rangiwewehi and Te Rōpū Manutaki. An invitation has also been extended by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to the Auckland Anglican Māori Club, a long standing kapa haka rōpū in Tāmaki who were tutored for many years by Tā Kingi Ihaka, to celebrate the legacy and excellence of Māori performing arts.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust Chair Marama Royal says the festival builds on the success of Matariki Herenga Waka, which brought thousands of people together across Tāmaki Makaurau in July 2026, including the national Hautapu ā Motu hosted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei at Takaparawhau. For Royal, a former Ngāti Rangiwewehi performer whose mokopuna will also take the stage during Te Kahu Tōpuni, the festival is deeply personal.
“There is something very special about seeing these generations come together. I had the privilege of performing with Ngāti Rangiwewehi, and now I get to watch my mokopuna stand on the Auckland Town Hall stage as part of Te Kahu Tōpuni.
“That is what Poumatua is about – he taonga tuku iho. Remembering those who came before us, celebrating who we are today and creating something for those who will follow.”
Director of Auckland Live, Daniel Clarke says, “We’re proud to support the inaugural Poumatua Festival and help create a platform for these important stories and experiences to be shared with audiences. Seeing our venues and public spaces come alive with tamariki, whānau and some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most celebrated kapa haka rōpū will be incredibly special.”
The festival also arrives at a significant time for Tāmaki Makaurau following the opening of the City Rail Link the week before Poumatua Festival starts. Te Waihorotiu Station will make it easier for people to reach the Aotea Arts Quarter and experience the festival.
Poumatua Festival runs from Thursday 17 September to Saturday 19 September 2026. Mākete Whātua in Aotea Square is free to attend, while Te Kahu Tōpuni Kapa Haka Festival, Tuku Kōrero | Tāmaki Talks and Tuku Iho | Golden Years of Kapa Haka are ticketed events.
For the full programme and tickets, visit aucklandlive.co.nz. To learn more about Poumatua Festival, visit www.poumatua.co.nz