This year, our combined HGHS and HBHS Kapa Haka group, Te Maurea Whiritoi, proudly presented two groups at the Tainui Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Festival, held at Claudelands Events Centre.

• In Toi Ora (Division A), we had Te Maurea Whiritoi.

• In Toi Tupu (Division B), we were represented by He Maurea i Whiria.

Both kapa performed with excellence and mana, and their efforts were recognised through the following outstanding results. We are also very proud that Te Maurea Whiritoi will be heading to Nationals next year to represent Tainui. The results are as follows:

Toi Ora – Division A: Te Maurea Whiritoi

Te Maurea Whiritoi was proudly led by:

• Kaitātaki Wahine – Delilah Petelo-Te Pere

• Kaitātaki Tāne – Te Ao Turoa Samson

Te Maurea Whiritoi placed third overall

Toi Tupu – Division B: He Maurea i Whiria

He Maurea i Whiria was proudly led by:

• Kaitātaki Wahine – Amokura Harmon 

• Kaitātaki Tāne – Tobias Moetara

He Maurea i Whiria placed first overall

Ngā mihi nui – A huge thank you!

E rere atu nei ngā mihi ki ngā pouako o te kapa o Te Maurea Whiritoi, arā, ki a Matua Toti rāua ko Whaea Frankie. A huge thank you to our leaders of our Kapa Haka group Frankie and Toti West for your leadership, support, and tireless work preparing our tauira for the stage.

A big mihi to Hawaiki Te Aho, Matawai Winiata, Paina Mapu, and Marcus Wilson Rangitāawa.Thank you for your incredible guidance and support to our tauira throughout the campaign. Ngā mihi aroha ki a koutou. 

Tēnei te mihi maioha ki te whānau o Te Maurea Whiritoi hoki – this would not be possible without your tautoko! How blessed we are to have such an amazing group of whānau. Thank you for your ongoing support of our tauira and the kaupapa.

New Release: Matariki Hao Ariki

Another highlight this term was the release of Te Maurea Whiritoi’s debut single, Matariki Hao Ariki. This powerful waiata is a tribute to the late Kīngi Tūheitia, likening the thunderstorm that marked his passing to the deep sorrow felt by those he left behind:

“Kīngi Tūheitia, haere atu rā ki ō nui i te pō.”

Stay connected with Te Maurea Whiritoi by following them on social media to listen to Matariki Hao Ariki, explore their full debut album, and keep up with what the rōpū is working on.

🎧 Listen to the waiata here:
https://music.drm.co.nz/matariki-hao-ariki