When was the first Te Matatini competition?

Host Region

Winner

1972

Rotorua

Waihirere

1973

Rotorua

Mawai Hokona

1975

Whangarei

Te Roopu Manutaki

1977

Gisborne

Te Kotahitanga o Waitaha

1979

Wellington

Waihirere

1981

Auckland

Taniwharau

1983

Hastings

Ngati Rangiwewehi

1986

Christchurch

Te Waka Huia

1988

Whangarei

Waihirere

1990

Waitangi

Te Roopu Manutaki

1992

Ngaruawahia

Te Waka Huia

1994

Hawera

Te Waka Huia

1996

Rotorua

Ngati Rangiwewehi

1998

Trentham

Waihirere

2000

Ngaruawahia

Matarae I O Rehu

2002

Tamaki Makaurau

Waihirere

2005

Rangitane

Te Whanau a Apanui

2007

Rangitane

Whangara Mai Tawhiti

2009

Mataatua

Te Waka Huia

From:

http://www.tematatini.co.nz/festival/past-venue-festival-winners.htm

According to the Te Matatini website, the first event was in 1972.

My maori performing arts teacher confirmed it

If you can't trust the Te Matatini website, what can you trust right? :)