Today, our two Ngā Māreikura, Manea and Jordy, gave their speeches in assembly.

Ake, ake, ake. Kia kaha te reo Maaori, i tenei wiki ko te wiki o te reo Maaori na reira ahakoa he iti, he pounamu.

Today, I want to share my journey of learning haka, a discipline deeply rooted in my upbringing. From the age of four, I experienced haka at various cultural events, understanding it as an integral part of our traditions. However, it wasn’t until I was five that I began learning it myself. As a shy child, I struggled to express the key elements—puukana, wiri, and the sheer intensity of the performance often overwhelmed me.

It wasn't until I was twelve that I truly found my voice in haka. Inspired by my brother, whose electrifying energy and skill motivated me, I learned to embody ihi, wehi, and wana in my performances. One crucial lesson I’ve learned is that confidence is key. Our tutors often encouraged us to "fake it till you make it." This became especially relevant during a regional Kapa Haka competition in 2021 when we faced numerous challenges, including the absence of our primary tutor and serious injuries among our team. Despite feeling unprepared, we projected confidence and ended up winning first place.

One of my strengths lies in conveying vivid imagery through my facial expressions and movements, bringing haka to life with my unique style. Yet, I recognize areas for improvement, particularly in mastering choreography and lyrics. Sometimes, I found myself improvising due to inadequate preparation, relying on energy rather than depth.

Moving forward, I’m committed to dedicating more time to learning the correct movements and memorising the kupu. By doing so, I hope to elevate my performances and channel my energy more fully, achieving a more powerful haka presentation.

Ko toou reo, ko tooku reo, te tuakiri tangata. Tihei uriuri, tihei nakonako.

Tihei mauri ora.

Jordy Wade

Tena tatou katoa, Ko wai ahau? 

Ko EmiEmi raua ko Tihirau nga Maunga 

Ko Ramarama raua ko Whangaparāoa nga awa 

Ko Ngātokimatawhaorua raua ko Tauira nga waka

Ko Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Tarawa, Kauaetangohia ratou ko Ngāti Pakahi nga hapu 

Ko Ngā Puhi raua ko Te Whanau ā Apanui nga iwi 

Ko Mihiwira raua ko Kauaetangohia nga Marae 

Ko Manea toku ingoa, I have had the honour of being one of your Mareikura prefects for 2024.

Today in my korero I wanted to share how the impact of Kapa Haka influenced my character to who I am today. 

Kapa haka has been my passion throughout my life. If you're a haka enthusiast, you'll understand the feeling of living and breathing kapa haka from the moment you were born. It’s not just a hobby; it's the essence of who I am and who I aspire to be. From watching Te Matatini as soon as I could walk and talk, kapa haka has become more than just an activity—it’s my way of life.

It wasn't until I was 11 that I truly grasped the significance of kapa haka. Walking into the hall to learn our bracket for the upcoming regional competition in Palmerston North ignited my deep passion for my culture. My tutors often encouraged us with the saying, "Do the mahi, get the treats," a philosophy I still live by today. The discipline and dedication I learned from kapa haka have shaped who I am—whether I'm giving my all in the classroom or standing strong on the field, tackling a football player for making one of my teammates cry. 

Kapa haka has woven important lessons such as confidence, discipline, ihi, wehi, and wana into my performances. One difficult lesson I had to learn was that not everything needs to be strong to embody grace or beauty. Coming from a strength-based upbringing, this was a challenge, but learning to balance strength with grace allowed me to better represent the stories of my tūpuna, making my performances more authentic and powerful.

Every lesson from kapa haka has carried into my everyday life, whether preparing for an exam or standing on a national stage. I am committed to upholding the values of te ao Māori in myself, knowing that by doing so, I will uplift my goals and carry them with me into my tertiary studies. Neira,Iti rearea teitei kahikatea te taea, although you are small you ascend great heights.

Ake, Ake, Ake. Kia kaha i te reo māori koutou mai kia ora! 

Manea Renata