Leading kapa haka practitioners will gather in Whakatane on Friday for a one-day forum on Maori performing arts.

The symposium Te Rautoki a Toi is being held at the Whakatane campus of Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi, and is expected to attract more than 200 people.

The symposium is being organised by Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi and follows on from the inaugural national kapa haka forum in Rotorua in November 2012.

Co-ordinator Sheree Spooner, who leads the Bachelor of Maori Performing Arts (BMPA) programme at Awanuiarangi, and academic advisor Junior Tana say the symposium facilitates a national forum of skilled and knowledgeable artists to discuss kapa haka issues in an academic arena.

'There are limited opportunities for kapa haka experts to gather to discuss cutting edge developments in a national context,” says Sheree.

'The symposium provides the opportunity for Maori performing arts practitioners to learn first-hand from the leading artists of the day.”

Junior says the symposium would wrestle with contentious issues of the time and hear perspectives from the vast network of Maori performing arts exponents around the country.

A line-up of performing arts experts will speak and participate in panel and breakout sessions.

Topics include the evolution of Te Reo Maori in composition and haka development processes ('From a Thought to the Stage”), and there will be performances by BMPA students and Te Ahorangi.

Vicki Kingi, and Chris and Teen Winitana are the keynote speakers, and other guests include Tamati Waaka, Otene Hopa and Te Taepa Kameta.

A dinner and a performance by Rob Ruha will cap off the event.

Please click here to view the symposium programme.