OJC's new joint kapa haka group (rōpū), Te Whānau ō te rau Kahikatea, is a group of 35 learners from Ormiston Junior College, Mission Heights Junior College and Ormiston Senior College.

After three weeks together as a rōpū practising with only Friday night and Saturday all day noho (rehearsals / intensives), our MHJC/OJC/OSC Kapa Haka, Te Whānau ō te rau Kahikatea, took to the stage on Friday 31st August, as part of the Koanga (Spring) Festival at Farm Cove Intermediate School - an annual springtime festival where schools from around East Auckland come together to celebrate the Māori Language through Kapa Haka.

Under the guidance of our kaiako Matua Jason Tuhaka (OSC) and Matua Brent Dunn (MHJC) with support from our very own Netanya Nikora and Kauatoa Makaui from OJC, the group of 35 learners from the three schools presented a strong bracket with beautiful harmonies and passionate, powerful movement.

The rōpū would like to thank the three schools’ Principals Luke Sumich (OJC), Ian Morrison (MHJC) and Diana Patience (OSC) for their support of the group.

We look forward to the many performances ahead of this group in the future.