All the Wellington regional kapa haka groups were welcomed by local iwi, Te Ātiawa.
With only nine teams competing at Te Whiti Park, three teams will qualify for the national competition.
Teams have prepared well, like the defending regional champions Ngā Taonga Mai Tawhiti.
Alongside them are urban team from Tūhoe, Tū Te Maungaroa.
Finally, Te Ātiawa say winning isn't the be all and end all, the main thing for them is being able to sustain the traditions passed on by their elders.
The competition starts tomorrow morning at 9am, and by the end of the day we'll know who the top three teams are that go to the Te Matatini Festival.