Our multi-faceted, multi-talented Cultural Committee of 2022...

The Cultural Committee, from left, is Wairua Pritchard, Joseph Lorimer, Daniel Choi, Captain of Arts and Leader of the Cultural Committee Natthanael Lavasi'i, Nauvoo Dixon, Latham Magele and Matthew Lynch. Unfortunately, Ruaridh Martynoga was absent on the day this photograph was taken.

Cultural Committee Report:

To say this year was absolutely amazing, would be an understatement. This was in small part due to the absence of disruption caused by COVID-19 this year. The Cultural Committee was able to take advantage of this opportunity to create and coordinate many events that further promoted the arts and cultural pursuits at HBHS.

At the very beginning of the year, we started the heavy grind with the biggest event for all the Year 13s, the HBHS School Ball. The theme of "A Night at The Casino" went over really well, with the party atmosphere lasting long into the event and photos being taken all over the place (which you will see further in the diary). It was extremely rewarding to see everyone having an amazing time and it gave our committee a sense of relief to see the fruits of all the hard work done in and out of school hours.

During Term 2, we went down to Napier Boys’ High School to compete in the Super 8 Cultural Festival. In true HBHS fashion, we placed as the top overall school, claiming first place at this event for the first time in 11 years. Another key event that appeared on the Cultural Committee calendar was the HBHS/HGHS Talent Quest, where we could only send six groups/individuals to compete against the other six from HGHS. Picking the six was a challenge in itself given the extremely high calibre of talent. Two of our students did very well, coming in the Top 3. These students were Dylan Connolly (Year 10 guitarist who finished second) and John Huang (Year 9 pianist who finished in third place).

Another significant event this year was the 2022 HBHS Arts and Cultural Showcase. This replaced the production that was unfortunately cancelled at the very beginning of the year, but will be returning next year. As of right now, the video now has 4.3K views on YouTube (with the other Showcase in 2020 receiving 2.2K views). At the end of Term 3, we also collaborated with HGHS on producing the event, "Te Puawai Festival - Celebrating Dance!" We initially thought that we would fill up the bleaches (roughly 500 seats), but ended up filling over half of Gym 1 meaning approximately 1,000 people attended. Finally, during Spirit Week, our Committee ‘crashed’ a Year 9 Assembly, did a Lolly Scramble and talked about what the other Committees had up their sleeves for HBHS Spirit Week.

But not only has this year been amazing because of the events I have listed, but the amazing people involved. None of these events would have been possible without the help of some amazing teachers such as Mr Tim Dent, our Director of Culture, Mr Quentin West, our technician wizard (along with the rest of the Sound Tech Crew). I would also like to thank Mrs Ali Lennan for her expertise and help with the preparation of the School Ball. There are many more people to thank but that would take far more paper than I have available!

Last of all, I would also like to sincerely thank my fantastic Cultural Committee this year. The group consisted of Daniel Choi, Ruaridh Martynoga, Nauvoo Dixon, Joseph Lorimer, Matthew Lynch, Wairua Pritchard and Latham Magele.

From the Committee and I, we hope that this year we were able to encourage other boys to get amongst the arts and culture at HBHS. I will certainly be back to see how the arts and culture have flourished and see how successful it will be in the near future.

Fa’afetai tele lava ma fa’amanuiaga,

Natthanael Lavasi’i

Captain of Arts 2022

Cultural Committee Profiles:

Natthanael "Lavauso/Natte Dawg" Lavasi'i

Quote:  "Man at Night, Man in the Morning." Mr Teokotai-White (next Headmaster)

Favourite Memory:  Getting caught munching on hot chips by my Elite Sports teacher... (No regrets, hehe).

Future Ambition:  Own a bakery next to the factory and relive the glory days as a proud Old Boy...

Daniel "San" Choi

Quote:  “My unmatched perspicacity coupled with my sheer indefatigability makes me a feared opponent in any realm of human endeavour.”

Favourite Memory:  Getting to meet coach Alby Ellis.

Future Ambition:  Be a strong man wherever life takes me to... Live my legacy as a future Top G...

Nauvoo Dixon

Quote:  Moe atu nga ringa raupa! 

Favourite Memory:  Walking around as a Year 13, high-fiving and saying "chur" to all the Assistant Principals!  And going away for tournaments, Poly Fest and meeting and becoming brothers with the boys you meet! Gonna miss you, Gordon!!!

Future Ambiton:  Serve a mission for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Find a beautiful wahine. We'll see where we go from there...

Joseph "Joefish" Lorimer

Quote:  "I just want to lie on the beach and eat hot dogs.  That's all I've ever wanted." Kevin Malone

Favourite Memory:  Performing as part of the "Reggae Monstaz" at school.

Future Ambition:  Surf by day, jam by night...

Matthew "Big Words" Lynch

Quote:  "As a logophile, I hope my excessively verbose verbiage is syntactical enough for you."  Me

Favourite Memory:  Doing the macarena to the Pipe Band at Arts Awards.

Future Ambition: To make a living in the musical theatre industry (biggest joke in the Prefect Profiles 😢)...

Ruaridh "Wuwee" Martynoga

Quote:  "Hostel..."

Favourite Memory:  "Waterworld" with King Tucks.

Future Ambition:  Get a girlfriend!