Te Iti Rearea originates from the Te Arawa rohe and has combined the talent of Te Wharekura o Ngāti Rongomai and Rotorua Lakes High School.
Members of this rōpū proudly represent their iwi, Ngāti Rongomai and Ngāti Pikiao.
This rōpū is tutored by Tukiterangi Curtis and Miri Hare, and led by kaitātaki wahine Te Rina Chase and Jordan Whata, and kaitātaki tāne, Te Kaiamo Okeroa Rogers-Smith and Piwiki Kingi.
This is the second time the rōpū will take to the national stage after it was established in 2011 by Tukiterangi Curtis and Audrey Barakat.
Their tutors say the group was established to "unite its descendants and enlighten them of the importance of their whakapapa Māori, as well as instill the knowledge and histories of their ancestors."
The entire performance is dedicated to honouring the ties of Ngāti Rongomai and Ngāti Pikiao to Te Tairāwhiti and will also address major issues facing its people today while giving thanks to the hosts of the competition this year.
Here is Iti Rearea's whakaeke.