In the heart of our kura, Te Maurea Whiritoi Kapa Haka stands as a vibrant symbol of mana and kotahitanga. This talented ope of rangatahi is passionate about their Māori culture, identity, and whakapapa. Throughout the year, our rangatahi have been diligently practicing in preparation for the Secondary Schools National Kapa Haka Competition 2024 in Nelson, which took place last week from 24-28 June.

This remarkable feat highlights their dedication and hard work, as even qualifying for Nationals requires excelling in the Tainui Regional competition in 2023, where they placed first for the very first time. In Nelson, Te Maurea Whiritoi achieved an impressive milestone by finishing in the top 9 out of 42 teams, which took them to the finals on Friday, 28 June, at 10:20 am. They performed for the second time on stage, where it was broadcast live on Whakaata Māori. Their performance was nothing short of spectacular, showcasing their commitment to excellence and āhuatanga Māori.

Special thanks go to their amazing and dedicated tutors, Matua Toti and Whaea Frankie West, whose continuous support and guidance have been instrumental in Te Maurea Whiritoi's achievements. Their mentorship has not only honed the skills of this kapa but has also fostered confidence, discipline, and pride within our rangatahi (both past and present) to stand strong as Māori.

A big shout-out to all the support crew that helped behind the scenes: Jaedyn Randell, Hylan Potts, Faith Curtis-Flavell, Hollie Graham, Marewa Samson, Rezin Barber, Hawaiiki Te Aho, Honohono Witehira, Michelle and Heremaia Samson, Hohepa Tamehana, Nadia Keogh, Jadee Strother, and our kitchen master chef, Pania Nin. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa! “Mā mua ka kite a muri, mā muri ka ora a mua” - those who lead give sight to those who follow.

Ka wani kē! To all the kapa haka teams who performed at the competition, and a special acknowledgment to Te Maurea Whiritoi for their exceptional result in finishing in the top 9 in the country. Keep striving for excellence, or in the words of Sir Apirana Ngata, “e tipu e rea mo ngā rā o tōu ao” – grow and flourish in preparation for the world before you.