2021 has been a huge year for Te Waipapa o te Ao Tawhiti - the Hagley/Ao Tawhiti Kapa Haka.

The unique character of both our kura means that every year, with new members coming in at all year levels there is a whole new dynamic to navigate, new talent to recognise, new leadership to foster and our favourite - new challenges to take on. The rōpū has worked incredibly hard this year, challenging themselves to perform a full bracket at our first whānau evening after our first month together. Following this, the group went all out to prepare a 25 minute original bracket for the Waitaha Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Competitions. This involved a huge amount of sacrifice from kaiako, whānau and tauira alike, involving giving up many weekends and a lot of sleepless nights in preparation for this. We were so proud to stand for our kura and present our message of inclusiveness and support for all - ahakoa te aha! 

After regionals, we had to farewell our much loved kaitātaki wahine, Sophia, and navigate new waters working out who was to stand beside our kaitātaki tāne, Paolo Reid, in preparation for the Tūhono Competitions. This was not a simple task with so much talent and leadership amongst our rōpū and whittling our choices down to two: our wonderful Sophie and Jorja showed so much tautoko for each other deciding that they would stand together to lead our group less than a week before the competitions. Finally, on Saturday 23rd of October, the 2021 cohort made their final stand, proudly earning 2 top prizes for their whakaeke ‘Karanga akiaki rā’, our call that we will speak up and help you find your place in this changing world and the very special waiata a-ringa “Kua Wheturangitia Koe”, a dedication to those who have passed after a very hard year of loss for our rōpū, working through the process of grief and finally sending them ‘to the stars’.

We would like to mihi to all that have been part of our journey this year. Our hardworking performers have given so much of themselves, time and heart to our kaupapa. The tutor team - we know what this year has involved - phew! And our whānau for the gifts of kai, waiata, taonga and support throughout the year. I can’t wait for our next wero!