The co-leader of Ngā Tūmanako says a desire to pass te reo Māori on to his children inspired him to join the champion kapa haka group.
Founded in 2005 by kura kaupapa students at West Auckland's Hoani Waititi Marae, Ngā Tūmanako are this year's Te Matatini winners.
Co-leader Kawariki Morgan told Newshub the journey to winning hasn't been without its challenges.
When Ngā Tūmanako was started, Morgan was already part of one of the top kapa haka groups Whāngārā Mai Tawhiti in Gisborne.
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Morgan was concerned that if he moved groups, he would have to start all over again, he was also worried that Ngā Tūmanako wouldn't really go anywhere.
Naturally, Morgan was reluctant, but after speaking with the founders, his old school mates, Kororia Taumaunu and Jade Maipi he was eventually convinced to join.
"We just had a group of mates, so I was a bit sceptical at the beginning about whether it would go anywhere, but eventually she [Taumaunu] convinced me."
In 2005, Ngā Tūmanako entered its first regional competition and placed ninth. Shortly afterwards they entered the national competition, where they didn't manage to secure a place.
To add to the disappointment, Whāngārā won the competition, something which was hard for Morgan to watch.
"We were watching them [Whāngārā] in the crowd going 'oh my god they are amazing' and then they won, so that was really, really hard."
He said it resulted in a lot of "soul searching" and felt like a long way to fall.
In hindsight, it made them stronger, but in that moment it was "devastating".
While the loss shook the group, their drive remained and they continued to practice.
Morgan's passion for kapa haka prevailed and he focused on his desire to ensure future generations have a "safe space to be Māori", something he says he was fortunate to have as a kura kaupapa student.
"We have lived through the benefits of that and we want that for our kids," he said.
For Morgan, Kapa haka is a way to feel close to his ancestors and is one of the most vibrant expressions of te reo Māori.
"Te Reo has been the main driver for Ngā Tūmanako and having a space for us and our kids and whānau to value te reo Māori," he said.
"I feel sad for people who don't have that space to feel proud of their culture and language."
He said Te Reo kept them grounded during the difficult times.
"As a tool for our future and our kids' future, te reo Māori is something that makes them unique that makes them special. It is the key."
That focus helped them overcome their challenges and win this year's Te Matatini, an experience Morgan described as "a childhood dream come true".
He said having his name next to the other groups who had previously won was amazing.
"Those were the people I had looked up to since I was a child."
Morgan described winning as surreal and a testament to all the people who helped him along the way.
Before Ngā Tūmanako's win, the champions were made up of a closed club of four to five groups. Morgan said managing to break through that circle was "humbling".
"Our meteoric rise was a shock for us and everyone else."
He said the pressure for the next Te Matatini is huge because they will be defending their title on home ground.
"Only one other group has ever won back-to-back, that is the goal, but we know it's going to be hard."
But for Morgan, and Ngā Tūmanako, winning is only the icing on the cake, with their main drive coming from a desire to preserve, celebrate and protect te reo Māori.
Newshub.
