An event to celebrate and acknowledge the varying cultures of Āotearoa.
On Thursday 17 August, Chisnallwood’s kapahaka group, Ruia te Kakano and our Pasifika group, participated in The Christchurch Primary Schools Cultural Festival at Horncastle Arena.
Both groups had been rehearsing for several months with tutors Matua Te Huaki Punaki and Selestina Stowers. All the students were excited and everyone had butterflies before going on stage, but they managed. You can take a look on Youtube by click on the link . (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meASL1joI_8&t=362s )
The best part of Ruia te Kakano’s performance was probably the haka because everyone knew what they were doing and all were on point with pūkana and waiata. The poi was hard to teach but we managed. Year 8 students helped organise extra practices with most students giving their time to attend.
The Pasifika group were amazing. They were also very nervous as they waited backstage. Pasifika practiced every Friday, block 5 with Mr Enosa supervising. The Pasifika students would like to thanks Mr Fields for organizing a tutor, one of Mr Field’s past students from Catholic Cathedral College, to come in on her own time to help them prepare. She assisted the group to focus and to get the dance moves right for the night. The items they most enjoyed performing were the Samoan dance at the start and the boys slap dance, that the leader, Alesana Mailei had composed.
Pasifika had 24 students committed to performing on the night. They would like to take this opportunity to thank all of their supporters.
Ruia te Kakano had 40 students performing and in the actual rōpu there are over 60 students. Some students however were unable to make it for this performance. They would also like to acknowledge Whaea Sarah Pitama and Anastasia Pitama for their help with stage presentation. Thanks is also extended to Ms Baker, Miss Woodall, Mrs Hamilton and Ms Western for their organisation and support with uniforms.
The experience of participating in this festival allows us to identify and connect culturally. Kia ora, Talofa Lava and looking forward to doing it all again next year.