Te Waipapa o Te Ao Tawhiti Kapa Haka represent at Tūhono Senior Kapa Haka Competition

On Saturday 24th of September, our kapa haka performed on stage at Hillview Christian School as they represented our kura in the Tūhono competition again this year. Many months of training and preparation went into this day, and all of our ākonga (students) did us proud! Kapa Haka kaiako, Chantelle Rakich (Ngā Puhi) and her kaiawhina, Fa’atu Tamate, Lisa Tui Johnathan, Solomona Davis, and Steve Ingram had done an amazing job at supporting our students to put their absolute all into their bracket. As one of the only kura performing entirely original content, our kapa haka were able to put forward material that reflected their messages and identities.

Reflecting on the experience, Georgia Dobson-Cox (Kāi Tahu) Year 13, said, “we put a lot of pressure on each other to perform, and we each receive that in return. We were pushed to our limits and then a little bit further. If you told me a few years ago I’d be performing onstage with a kapa haka, I’d have said, “You’re dreaming! I can’t sing or pūkana for anything! But now, I feel excited that I could shine with a talented bunch of individuals, and hold my own on stage.” Georgia Dobson-Cox (Kāi Tahu).

We were recognised by the judges of Tūhono, and awarded best wāhine leaders (Jorja Hutton (Ngāi Māori) and Sophie Dawson (Te Ātiawa)), and best whakamihi wahine (Sophie Dawson). This was a fantastic, and well-earned, achievement for our kaitātaki wāhine (female leaders).

There was an absolute buzz after the performance and our kaihaka (kapa haka members) had this to say:

“Being in a Māori space, feels like being with a whānau, in our community, competing, and seeing everyone do their best onstage. Watch out for us next time, ngā mihi, from te kapa!”

“I knew we went hard because when I got offstage I drank a whole bottle of water. Performance adrenaline is another level.”

“I love being in the kākahu (performance outfit), it makes me feel empowered. I didn’t want to wash off my moko (tattoo stamp), and kept my heru (comb) in all night.”

Our kapa haka is made up of members who have performed together for years, as well as those who have joined in the last month. All of them showed enormous dedication, and looked stunning onstage. We’d also like to acknowledge our kapa for their support in performing at school events like the Pasifika fono, and whakawātea (opening) of one of our new buildings, Auripo.