Brooklyn Boyd and Haylen Walker recently competed at the Regional Kapa Haka competition, and after placing 2nd, are off to Te Matatini Kapa Haka Aotearoa (national bi-annual event). We caught up with them for their reaction...

On Friday 24 February, a number of senior groups competed at the Regional Kapa Haka competition at the Trafalgar Centre in Nelson. Brooklyn Boyd (Year 10) and Haylen Walker (Year 11), are members of Kia Ngawari, and their rōpū placed 2nd overall, earning them a place at nationals. 

It is no small thing for Brooklyn being only 14-years-old and Haylen only 15-years-old, to perform and compete alongside adults. It shows their level of skill and expertise in Kapa Haka and deserves a massive acknowledgement.

Haylen has been involved in school Kapa Haka groups over the years but this was his first time competing at a higher level. "That one was a big step for me," he said.

But competing with the rōpū felt "really good" for Haylen. "They were really supportive and we had really good tutors, and everyone was just really welcoming so it was really nice."

Brooklyn recalled the lead up being particularly intense. "It was a lot of (like) practice, we had to practice every weekend and stay the night for two days, and every Wednesday we would also practice," he said.

It will be Brooklyn's first time competing at the nationals and he's most looking forward to travelling to Taranaki and meeting new people.

When asked about how he felt about the result Haylen said, "Really good, like coming second, all the practice, and time, and effort really paid off."

Te Matatini Kapa Haka Aotearoa is being held in New Plymouth in February 2025 and practice will kick off in the second half of this year. In the meantime, the duo will be involved in Nayland College's Kapa Haka rōpu Pūaha Te Tai, which started up again this week with our new tutor Matepo Hepi.

On his training methods Haylen added, "[I'm] just trying to prepare for it mentally and physically, it's going to be a really big step, but [I'm] really excited for it." 

Good luck to both Haylen and Brooklyn as they get ready for the big event ... And watch this space for progress updates as the year goes on.