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New Zealand's next generation of kapa haka stars are proudly getting vocal at this year's primary school nationals at ASB Arena.

A total of 1850 children from 36 primary and intermediate schools are busy competing in the Te Mana Kuratahi National Primary Schools Kapa Haka 2013 this week, held in Tauranga for the first time since 2005.

Te Whare Kura Ngati Rongomai performing at the competition today.

Following a powhiri on Monday morning the competitors, aged between five and 12 years old, are taking to the stage with their well-rehearsed performances until tomorrow afternoon when the winners are announced.

Tauranga Moana Kapa Haka School's committee member Ange Withers says five Tauranga schools are competing - with 3000-4000 people already coming to watch the competition.

Kapa haka refers to ‘Maori performing arts' or the 'cultural dance' of Maori. It is seen as an avenue for Maori to express and showcase their heritage and cultural identity through song and dance.

Performances involve choral singing, dance and movements associated in the hand-to-hand combat practised by Maori in mainly pre-colonial times, presented in a synchronisation of action, timing, posture, footwork and sound – lasting up to 40 minutes.

Ange does not want to pinpoint a favourite to take out this year's title, believing all the schools are producing polished performances.

'Like any other competition everyone wants to be a winner; but they are all winners when they take to the stage.

'Hopefully it's going to be one of the Tauranga schools.”

The competition runs until tomorrow at 4pm when the overall winner will be announced.