Te Rā Rēhia Festival 2023
Te Rā Rēhia is a day of celebration, and connection through the art of kapa haka. It is a chance for all schools in our cluster to show what they have learnt and can do under the realm of Hinerēhia and Tānerore, the deities of waiata, poi, and haka.
Te Rā Rēhia had been organised and held by Ōtūmoetai Intermediate for two years prior to being postponed due to covid restrictions for two years. This was followed by another year at Ōtūmoetai Intermediate in 2022. This year the challenge of holding Te Ra Rehia 2023 was taken up by Bellevue School.
After a forecast of rain for the week, a beautiful day dawned for Te Rā Rēhia. What a great tohu (sign) for the day that was to follow. Our school as tuakana, supported Bellevue School in learning and delivering the haka pōhiri to our manuhiri, our cluster schools, our kōhanga, our kaiako our elders, and our wider community, as well as supporting our speakers with waiata and haka.
Once formalities had concluded, the performances began with the hosts, Bellevue School standing first, followed by our collective Kōhanga reo from Huria, Wairoa and Hangarau, and then schools from across our cluster.
Our kapa had a short wait before our performance but were comfortable in the shade under the marquees erected by our caretakers, Mr Bateman and Mr Chapman, that morning. Waiting made the group a little anxious which was good as it showed that they wanted to give their best. They combated this by watching and supporting their former schools, meeting up with relatives, eating, and putting on excessive amounts of lipstick! We were then called to our changing room and then the holding tent before being called onto the stage. The group gave a performance acknowledging heritage and history, personal family ancestry, those connected to our school who had passed in recent months, and the group reinforced who we are as a kura. Appreciation was shown by ex-Ōtūmoetai Intermediate students now at college, through a haka tautoko. This was followed by a huge acknowledgement from our very own Cooper house who, in a show of spontaneous support, rocked our own school haka, ably led by Mr Page. This in turn caused the group to join in and see out our stand at Te Rā Rēhia.
Acknowledgements to the kapa for their perseverance, patience, and adaptability in learning waiata, haka, new tunes and actions, learning to sing, perform, and remember all of these things while holding a smile. Phew! There’s a lot more that goes into kapa haka than what some people think! Because of this, a big mihi must go out to all tutors and schools who maintain the mana of kapa haka. Also to the M.C’s provided by Ōtūmoetai College and Te Wharekura o Mauao who kept us informed and the day ticking over.
Appreciation though must go to Bellevue principal, Anna Meehan and staff, volunteers, and community, who humbly took on the job as hosts providing a great venue, hospitality and manaakitanga, and gaining some great learning along the journey. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou Bellevue School. Te Rā Rēhia, 2023, celebrated, and commemorated, in waiata and haka, as kura, as community. Mauri ora ki a tātou katoa!
Maranga mai ra Hinerēhia me Tānerore.”
Ko Ōtūmoe-tai timu!
Ko Ōtūmoe-tai pari!
Ko tēnei Ōu-tū-mo-ou ta i e!
