As thousands of spectators arrive in Wellington for Te Matatini this week, many may be wondering how to prepare for the country’s biggest kapa haka festival. Te Manu Korihi reporter Te Aniwa Hurihanganui talked to some of Te Matatini’s biggest fans to find out.

Get there early

Most die-hard Te Matatini fans will tell you claiming a good spot on the lawn in front of the stage can get very competitive. Long-time spectator John Hurihanganui suggests you limber up before arriving at the gates.

“You’ve got to arrive early to get a spot,” he says. “As soon as the gates open everyone floods in. It’s rather like going to the desert and there’s 300 people and someone’s holding a can of coke and everyone wants a drink, so you just gotta get in there quickly or else you’ll miss out.

“If you’re a part of a group or a whānau, put the fast, young people in the front and the oldies and the fatties in the back. The fast ones will get the good spot and then the oldies and the fatties can come and sit on that spot,” he jokes.

Wear a sturdy pair of jandals

A sturdy pair of jandals is the best shoe choice for the festival, according to Te Matatini fan Ngaiwa Marshall-Lobb. “Jandals give your feet the most air and they’re so breathable. It also gives your feet a nice tan while watching performances.”

Take a sun umbrella, hat and sunscreen

Te Matatini fans say it’s crucial people come prepared for hot weather with an umbrella, a good sunhat and sunscreen.

If you forget to bring your own, stall holder Adrienne Whitewood suggests you stop by Ahu Boutique at the festival. “Obviously the weather is just crazy and hats always sell out. People love a good wrap down there too, it’s like a kimono. When the weather changes people want to change into something.”

Take a blanket

A lot of sitting is to be expected at Te Matatini, and with organisers planning to cover the grass area with plastic to protect it from damage, the ground may be harder than you think.

Te Matatini chief executive Carl Ross suggests people bring their own blanket or a pillow to sit on for comfort.

Plenty of water

No one likes to watch Te Matatini while dehydrated. Water stations will be available at the event, but Te Matatini fans suggest spectators bring plenty of water of their own too.

Be prepared to see people you know

John Hurihanganui says spectators should expect to be doing a lot of whakawhanaungatanga. “There will be aunties, uncles, and [if] you’re eating nice food you’re gonna get cousins you didn’t know were cousins.

“I think it’s critical that you take moisturiser and lip-balm. Moisturiser for your nose because you’re going to be doing a lot of ‘hongi-hongi’ and lip-balm for your lips because you’re gonna be doing a lot of ‘kissy-kissy’.

“I’d also take some hand-sanitiser because you’re going to be shaking hands all day and touching the grass and then wanting to eat a hot-dog during the hot-dog groups.”

Extras

Te Matatini fans also suggest bringing a portable phone charger, insect repellent and cash for kai.

Aroha also vital

It’s also important to bring aroha, according to Mr Ross.

“Bring a lot of love with you because a lot of people have put thousands of hours into their performance.”

The opening pōwhiri will begin on Wednesday and Te Matatini will officially start the following day. You can stream the performances on Māori Television here.

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This article first appeared on RNZ.