On Wednesday 6 November SBS performed at the festival. Ivy and Eddie recount their day below.

It was a hot day, you could see the sunlight filtering in through the large rectangular windows. But instead of being out there in the sunshine we were inside, watching poi’s swinging and boys yelling. We heard kids singing and feet stamping. Finally, about halfway through it was our turn. We climbed nervously onto the stage. We were all thinking the same thing, “What if we’re not as good as everyone else?!” Suddenly a clear voice rang out “Toru wha!” We started to sing. All of our nervousness went away immediately, this was just like when we practiced. The rest of the festival passed in a happy blur. That was a great day. By Ivy D, Room 10

This year at the 2019 Devonport School Peninsula Kapa Haka festival, it was a beautiful day with the birds singing in the trees left right and centre. Walking up and down hills towards Devonport primary school. The sun shining down on you like it’s never done before. Finally we arrived. We are in front of the huge hall sitting, just waiting to get ready. We walked in, it is boiling hot in the hall. We watched the other school perform, my palms are sweating. It’s our turn to perform, my heart is pounding. Shivers roll down my spine. We perform all of our Waiata and our haka, after 10 short minutes of performing we are finished and the crowd and schools are cheering for us. We walk off the stage. After all the adrenaline inside, it’s over. We walked back to school to enjoy the rest of the day. By Eddie, Room 10