Inside New Zealand's biennial National Kapa Haka Festival

Inside Scotland's 'restaurant of the year', which serves VERY fresh seafood - staff use kayaks to collect lobsters from the adjacent sea loch. And the view isn't bad, either...
Candid photos reveal what it's like on the extraordinary £129,000 safari where guests enjoy transfer flights on an Emirates PRIVATE JET with an ensuite shower
Fashion, accessories, beauty and gastronomy - there's something for everyone at Europe's ultimate shopping destination (PLUS, you can shop tax free!)
Forget overcrowded Paris and Rome - these ten underrated cities can be enjoyed without having to battle the hordes
The best budget safaris: Here's how you can bag a dream wildlife holiday for much less than you'd think it costs
So THAT'S why we like to live beside the seaside! Having a home within 330 yards of water may reduce the risk of mental decline, study finds
Inside Val Thorens, the ski resort that's the highest in Europe (with a six-month season) and rated the best on the planet. Does it live up to the hype?
Tourists share the dishes they fell in love with abroad and can't stop eating - from a French staple to a New York speciality
Flight attendant claims a simple mistake on a plane could get you a LIFETIME BAN
The world's top 100 cities for 2024 RANKED: Paris is No.1 yet again, London drops out of the top 10, New York moves up the table - and Cairo is bottom
How Christmas markets have turned into 'hell on earth': Instagram vs Reality snaps reveal they're being ruined by huge queues and teeming crowds
I'm a foodie who's visited 166 countries - this is the surprise country with the most underrated food, the rarely visited place where meals cost ONE DOLLAR… and my verdict on Kenya's Goat Head Soup
Green routes to the white stuff: Our guide to the train services from London that can take you to some of the world's best ski resorts... with a clear conscience
World's oldest bird 'Wisdom' lays egg at the grand age of 74 - and even outlives the biologist who first banded her in 1956
From flaming fireballs to 'ghost saunas': The top 20 quirky European Christmas traditions Brits would most like to experience
Small South Carolina town branded 'mini Hawaii' is one of America's most underrated tourist spots
Ski holidays in the Alps could become a thing of the past, scientists warn - as figures reveal snowfall has plummeted by a THIRD since 1920
The 53 cheapest and priciest countries to be an expat in 2024 (and it's not good news for foreigners living in the UK and 'crazy expensive' Canada)
Revealed: Eight European routes where bus travel can be FASTER than flying (including London to Manchester)
From beaches to boutique stays: The 10 top travel brands you need to know for your next holiday
Is this Britain's best bench view? Lapping up the sublime spot that inspired Turner and Constable
The best bargain holidays on offer this 'Travel Tuesday': It's the day of the year when they're at their most affordable, so if you're itching to book your next getaway, check out these top-notch deals
Revealed: Nearly HALF of those from the North of England have never visited the USA
'An underground museum': Inside Greece's astonishing new £2.5billion driverless metro system that unearthed more than 300,000 treasures, many of which are on display in the stations

This year, 30,000 performers and supporters have come together for the four day festival in Christchurch
Celebrating traditional Maori performing arts, 45 teams will compete to be named national kapa haka champion
Each team is judged based on their choreography, chants, poi demonstration and elaborate costumes

Published: 05:50 EST, 7 March 2015 | Updated: 10:31 EST, 7 March 2015

e-mail

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 don'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 don'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.

New Zealand