Paige Walker

I have been involved in Kapa Haka since Year 8 at East Otago High School. Before that, in Primary school, I was in that group from the beginning of my primary schooling years. It has been a whirlwind of learning, practising, and dedication to performance from Year 8 when I first learnt the school song to having to learn everything else my friends had already known from the year before. I had to put in a lot of effort outside of school and really focus during the one period a week. In the later years I started to grow in my confidence within the group and started to teach the younger students with the help of my peers, with the songs and actions they were having trouble with. Being in Polyfest for the last time is almost bittersweet. I am definitely going to miss the anxious energy backstage, where I could never sit down. I loved every minute of being a part of Kapa Haka and being on stage with my friends.

Greta McCaw

Kapa Haka has been such a special part of my time at EOHS. I have been involved since Year 7 and have loved every moment from learning all the waiatas and hakas to teaching them to new students. I’m so grateful for the opportunities it’s given me, like becoming one of the Māori Prefects the past few years and also one of our group’s leaders. Performing for the last time at Polyfest was emotional, but I’m incredibly proud of everyone who performed alongside me. The energy and emotion on stage was so special and that performance will be one I will never forget. Thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey in Kapa Haka. You have made it unforgettable. I will miss Kapa Haka deeply, but I look forward to watching you guys shine in the years to come. 

Kacey Clark

Being involved in Kapa Haka has been such a cool experience. I did Kapa Haka all throughout primary school and as soon as I started high school I signed straight back up for it. I loved learning all the songs and still remember every single one I have sung. The experiences Kapa Haka has given me have been immense from performing on stage to learning the school waiata and haka. I thought it was so cool when I came to high school that the school had their own song. I loved Kapa Haka being part of my schooling and seeing different people coming in and the amount of people who have helped with Kapa Haka. It is sad to say that it is my last polyfest but I will hopefully be in the crowd still cheering. I will miss kapa haka and all the people I have performed it with. 

Jada Hewitt

I have had a rocky relationship with kapa haka. From Year 1–6, I participated in Kapa Haka and loved every second of it. When I started at East Otago, I continued during Year 7, but I gave up in Year 8 due to lack of confidence. However, since Year 11, I have fallen back in love with it. I always looked up to the Kapa Haka leaders and admired them for their hard work, knowing that this was a community I wanted to be a part of. Learning new waiatas and hakas made me so happy, as it allowed me to connect with a part of myself I had not bonded with before. Now, as a Year 13, I feel proud to be one of the Māori prefects of 2025 and to stand alongside my peers in leading the Kapa Haka group to Polyfest. I have grown so much in my confidence with te reo and performing on stage. Although it is sad to say that this was my last year performing for EOHS, I will always remain supportive of the school in the years to come.