The judges for Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025 have been announced with a total of 51 experts split into four working groups; Matatoki (Adjudicators), Wāhanga Mātāmua (Aggregate judges), Wāhanga Mātāmuri (Non-aggregate judges) and Kaiwhiriwhiri Matua (Head Judge).
Recently, competing teams were assigned to four pools: Te Ihu, Te Haumi, Te Awa, and Te Kei.
The four teams with the highest combined scores in the compulsory disciplines from each pool will advance to the finals.
This year’s head judge has been announced Turuhira Hare, who will determine the overall winner.
Below is the list of judges and disciplines.
Adjudicators
| Matatoki | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlie Rahiri | Paora Sharples | Te Ara Vakaafi | Rhonda Tibble |
Adjudicators are individuals appointed to assess, judge, calculate or evaluate performances. They provide impartial feedback and scoring from aggregate judges to the head judge.
Aggregate judges
Aggregate judges are assigned to specific disciplines and will score performances, and these scores will be given to the adjudicators.
| Wāhanga Mātāmua | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whakaeke | Rev. Dr Te Hira Paenga | Hohepa Tamehana | Janis De Thierry | Kelly Henare-Heke |
| Mōteatea | Paora Brosnan | Tapeka Henare | Rangi te Whiu | Ngarimu Parata |
| Waiata a ringa | Heeni Kereru | Thomas Parata | Te Rangi Hemi | Raymond Kaiki |
| Poi | Leanne Morehu | Donna Morrison | Miri Hare | Te Atarangi Whiu |
| Haka | Tei Nohotima | Watson Ohia | Mark Pirikahu | Hemi Tai Tin |
| Whakawātea | Tuhoe Huata | Anthony De Thierry | Haani Huata-Allen | Jojo Rangihaeata |
| Te Kairangi o te Reo | Chris Winitana | Petina Winiata | Rawiri Tinirau | Ngaringi Katipa |
Non-aggregate judges
Non-aggregate judges are assigned specific disciplines and will score performances, but their evaluations are non-competitive.
| Wāhanga Mātāmuri | ||
|---|---|---|
| Titonga Mōteatea | Ruki Tobin | Georgina Kerekere |
| Titonga a ringa | Keita Whakaipo Tuhi | Komene Kururangi |
| Titonga Poi | Alexia Greening | Robyn Hata-Gage |
| Titonga Haka | Wayne Ngata | Haturini McGarvey |
| Waiata Tira | Ruakiri Fairhall | Shanelle Wallace |
| Kākahu | Tina Winitana | Mark Kopua |
| Manukura Wahine | Ngā Hiriwa Tai Tin | Huia Hahunga |
| Manukura Tāne | Hohua Mohi | Joe Harawira |
| Te Reo a Tuhi | Leon Blake | Te Raania Ormsby-Teki |
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