Colourful costumes , face tattoos and impressive dance moves ... these are just a few of the things spectators will see during the elaborate performances of the Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival . The biennial event , which celebrates traditional Maori performing arts , is currently taking place at Hagley Park in Christchurch , New Zealand . This year , 45 teams from New Zealand and Australia are showcasing their talents and competing for the title of national kapa haka champion . Scroll down for video . Every two years , thousands of traditional Maori performers come together to showcase their talents at the National Kapa Haka Festival . This year , the four-day competition is being held in Hagley Park in Christchurch , New Zealand , and will see 45 teams compete for top prize . Members of the Te Kapa Haka o Ngati Ranginui from Tauranga ( pictured ) are just one of many teams to perform this year . From March 4 through March 8 , thousands of kapa haka performers will perform in a culmination of years of passionate commitment , dedication and hard work . The competition itself is broken down into three pools : Te Ihu , Te Haumi and Te Kei . The three teams that receive the highest combined marks from each pool will compete again , against each other in the finals . Judges will then determine the new Toa Whakaihuwaka , the overall aggregate winner , from those final nine teams . From Manawatu , members of the Te Tu Mataora team are clad in striking turquoise blue and purple costumes . Each team will compete in one of three pools , with the three top finalists from each being moved onto the semi-finals . Members of Tu Te Maungaroa from Wellington showcase elaborate face and body tattoos on their arms , legs and cheeks . A man from the Te Tu Mataora team ( left ) and a man from Te Kapa Haka o Ngti Ranginui ( right ) dance accompanied by traditional props . An integral part of each performance is the poi demonstration , as seen here by the Te Kapa Haka o Te Whanau-a- Apanui from Opotiki . The performance of the team 's male and female leaders are also judged by particular criteria . Pictured : male Te Tu Mataora members jumping . Of the nine teams that make it to the finals , judges will then determine a new Toa Whakaihuwaka , the overall aggregate winner . The festival begins with a powhiri , where performers , guests and visitors are welcome by the local hosts . Beginning on March 5 , the competition pools began their initial rounds of performances . Kapa haka teams must perform six disciplines within their piece : whakaeke ( a choreographed entry ) , moteatea ( a traditional chant ) , poi ( a demonstration of a light ball swung on the end of a rope ) , waiata-a-ringa ( an action song ) , haka and whakawatea ( exit ) . During each team 's 30 minute performance , each discipline must be delivered in a perfect , polished manner . Kapa haka teams must perform six disciplines during their piece , including a choreographed entry , a traditional chant and an action song . Each performance is 30 minutes in length and judges expect each team 's delivery to be perfectly polished . For spectators who do n't speak the local tongue , real-time English translations are available as each team takes to the stage . Several female members of Te Kapa Haka o Ngati Ranginui from Tauranga show off facial expressions as noteworthy as their movements . A male member of Tuhourangi-Ngati Wahiao from Rotoura boasts exceptionally intricate facial tattoos during a performance . The festival , which is now in its 22nd year , first began in 1972 and attracts performers and viewers from all around New Zealand and Australia . Another important part of the traditional Maori war dance is poi : a demonstration of a light ball swung on the end of a rope . As well as performances , spectators can also sample traditional Maori delicacies , shop for arts and crafts and take in cultural exhibitions . Dancers and their teams are also judged on their costumes and the performance of their female and male leaders . And for those who do n't speak the local tongue , English translation services are available in real-time as the performance unfolds on stage . The festival is now in its 22nd year , attracting over 30,000 performers , supporters and visitors , after having first began in 1972 . As well as performances , visitors can also sample traditional Maori and local southern delicacies , shop for Maori arts and crafts and take in cultural exhibitions .
This year , 30,000 dancers and supporters have gathered together for the four day festival in Christchurch . Celebrating traditional Maori martial arts , 45 teams will compete to be named national kapa haka champion . Each team is judged based on their choreography , chants , dance routines and elaborate costumes .