Wairua Pūhou took the stage once again for the twenty-sixth year of our local Polyfest, with hundreds of people in the audience at the Edgar Centre and many families watching the livestream at home.

At a time when the teaching of Aotearoa NZ History is so much in the news, it was exciting to see the passion with which Wairua Pūhou embraced their kaupapa. They have been involved in the research and learning about important national events and issues which have been the foundation of their programme for this year.

As the names of the sites of our history were proclaimed, the audience was hushed. Wairua Pūhou's energy was inspiring as they addressed issues that affect our rakatahi, such as the effects of colonisation, racism and violence. Our students said that it was more nervewracking to perform before their peers, family and staff at Polyfest than it was to compete at Hautonga, the recent regional secondary schools kapa haka contest. It was also the opportunity for those members who weren't in the competition team at Hautonga to "perform their hearts out" and to be a part of the larger group. Our girls asked that special thanks be given to their tutors who stepped in to fill the place of some of the boys who were unable to be at Polyfest due to attending a mau rākau wānanga. We have received some very complimentary feedback about Wairua Pūhou and the way in which the group has worked so hard together to present such a polished performance. This has resulted in further invitations to perform at significant occasions in our city. 

" Ehara i te toa takitahi, ko te toa takitini " - " My strength is not mine alone but ours together"