INTERVIEW: WAKAWAKA ELDER JOHN SMITH GUMBULA AT TE MATATINI IN AOTEAROA

John Smith Gumbula. Credit: Tangiora Hinaki.

Te Matatini is massive in Aotearoa,  New Zealand. 

It’s the Olympics of kapa haka and the best of the best have converged to Tamaki Makaurau, Aukland to battle it out on the stage.

The north of New Zealand was not ready for cyclone Gabriele and that has been a topic on the Kapa haka stage, with two groups using the mud from their ngurra to adorn their legs and feet to signify the hurt and challenge of the damage caused to homes and land. 

Senior Aboriginal  and future elder from Queensland,  John Smith Gumbula, who has been working passionately in the arts, cultural affairs  for over thirty years spoke with Ngaarda Media’s Tangiora Hinaki. 

“Keeping culture strong and alive is why I’m here. I’m here to build bridges of cultural understanding and sharing on a world stage.