22 February 2013 kapa haka is on everyone's lips - we take a look at the fierce competition in day two of Te Matatini. People are so serious about kapa haka they're willing to travel back from Australia to practice here in NZ. And two years on since the Christchurch quake - how did Maori cope when it hit? Due to the live nature of Te Karere, some segments will not be subtitled. Tena koutou katoa, and welcome to Te Karere. Te Matatini and the battle for the top spot in kapa haka seem to be the hot topic of conversation in Maoridom. As day two of the competition draws to a close, we cross to our two reporters on the ground, Irena Smith and Rapaera Tawhai, and gather their thoughts on how things are shaping up as we head to the finals. Haka groups who have performed so far have been amazing, and despite the strong performances from the experienced groups, the newer groups have been showing what they've got as well both yesterday and today. And in spite the restrictions placed upon Te Karere, I was able to talk to some of the groups who performed today. An experienced group filled with performers who live and breathe kapa haka. Manaia is the only Te Arawa group in the pool, Te Haumi. They carry with them the history and traditions of their people. Our performance talks of the boiling, bubbling hot springs of Rotorua. It talks of those aspects. This is their third time on the national stage and they haven't yet made it to the finals, but this is a new year and a new competition. We're fortunate because we're performing on home ground. Hopefully that'll serve as a home advantage for those of us from Te Arawa, but we know that all the other groups are hungry for the Duncan MacIntyre trophy so a battle is coming. Even though this is a big event in kapa haka, it's not as if their concerts for tourists who visit Rotorua are put on hold. This is what some of them do every day at Sudima Hotel. If Aunty Liz says you have to perform at a concert, then you have to go. It's a waiting game now to see who gets to the finals. Carrying the prestige of Wellington. The themes that we've put in our songs are about the genealogy and traditions surrounding water, as well as the issues around oil exploration and the sorts. This is the fourth time Nga Taonga Mai Tawhiti has made it to the nationals, and they've been together for ten years. Maintaining kinship ties is the most important, so too are families working together Just like other groups, there are two performers in this group who fly from Australia for practices. I still want to support this group and its tutors. I still want to support this group and its tutors. Wi Wehi and Merlene Maxwell are the tutors. They started this group with the teachings of Wi, Pimia and Ngapo Wehi, as well as the traditional weoponry exponent Irirangi Tiakiawa. That's not to say they are following a Waka Huia style of kapa haka. we're not Waka Huia, but we are close to them and Te Manu Huia. The group knows the Te Haumi pool is a tough one. Renowned groups the likes of Whangara Mai Tawhiti and Waka Huia are some of their adversaries, but their tutors have the last say on that. Tomorrow they'll find out whether their hard work paid off. We're unable to provide subtitles. An iwi-based group, who's performers call Rotorua home. Most live in Rotorua, but one performer travels quite far, all the way from Australia. Every weekend, Nathan Wharton catches the bus for a 3-hour trip from Cobar to Dubbo, hops on the train to Sydney for 10 hours and stays the night before flying to Rotorua. He's already spent over $4000 returning home to practice for Tuhourangi-Ngati Wahiao. His parents also came back from Northland for the event. Wharton hasn't performed competitively since 2009, and he's excited. Nathan Wharton and Tuhourangi-Ngati Wahiao are set to take the stage tomorrow morning. Rapaera Tawhai, Te Karere. Tomorrow is the last pool, Te Kei. Te Pou a Mangatawhiri will kick the day off and we've had the chance to follow them as well as Tuhourangi-Ngati Wahiao and Hamo o Te Rangi. All of these reports can be found on our website and we'll still have updates over the weekend of Te Matatini. After the break, we take a satirical look at this years Te Matatini. Do I need to change what I grow? Is there enough affordable housing in my community? Do we need more learning centres for preschoolers? Does everyone count in the future of our country? Yeah, we do. Tuesday the 5th of March is Census Day. Census information is used by businesses, iwi, councils and the government to make decisions on issues that affect us all. Because you count. The 2011 Christchurch earthquake saw Maori networks mobilise immediately into action to help out and contact whanau. Even marae did their part as communal refuges across the South Island and in Wellington. Many individuals however were left to help themselves and said being Maori is what pulled them through. Here's the story. It was a day Christchurch residents will never forget. Growing up in Whakatane meant this descendant of Ngati Awa and Te Whakatohea was no newbie to natural disasters, like the Edgecumbe Earthquake. And she says it was protocols instilled in her by her father that made post-earthquake survival an easy feat. Research carried out by Melanie and her University colleagues showed that for many Maori, Maori protocols became apparent in being able to survive the disruptions of the earthquake that killed 185 people. Practices like face-to-face meetings, respect and hospitality, and stepping up in the face of adversity without panicking, all in the midst of trauma, insufficient supplies and lack of assistance. So for two years, to this very day, life continues to be a struggle. Peata Melbourne, Te Karere. Maori owned business Annie s cafe is busy trying to feed the masses. Maori owned business Annie's cafe is busy trying to feed the masses. From packed lunches to catering for hundreds at a time. They are gaining a lot from the Te Matatini. We're unable to provide subtitles. Irena Smith, Te Karere. Well it's been a challenging couple of days on the Matatini stage, and we've had a few challenges of our own and we've had a few challenges of our own trying to bring you the coverage. Tina Wickliffe takes a light-hearted look at the political haka week that was. Maori have been shafted on radio spectrum, Solid Energy is on the verge of collapse, Hekia Parata's heart is being auctioned on TradeMe, but the only story in te ao Maori is on this stage. But alas, due to an exclusivity agreement between Te Matatini and Maori TV, Te Karere has been banned from filming today's action. But we're allowed to show what happened yesterday. So that's them in the thick of it - the Te Karere team on a rooftop. Our cameras were not permitted into the venue. Despite our wounded pride, we've stuck to the rules. As for Maori Television's mainstream mates, TV3 have been sent to the naughty corner today for breaching rules yesterday. But we're not feeling sorry for ourselves, no way. The NZ Herald's Yvonne Tahana is doing a good job of that on Twitter. But no doubt she'll be watching Maori Television's live and exclusive broadcast of the finals on Sunday. And what the heck, so will I. Tina Wickliffe, Te Karere. Now let's take a look at the Maori Programmes TVNZ has to offer over the weekend. After the break, the weather. To the weather now. For weather, see tvnz.co.nz. That's all we have for today. Turou Hawaiki. Captions were made possible with funding from NZ on Air. That's all we have for today. Turou Hawaiki. Captions were made possible with funding from NZ on Air. Copyright TVNZ Access Services 2013.