On Tuesday 16 March the Year 11 Dance class was lucky to have Raukawa Tuhura from the Lakes Performing Arts Centre in Rotorua make the trip over to Tauranga Girls’ College to teach a Hip Hop/Māori Fusion set.

Raukawa has competed in a lot of hip hop competitions and won first place in Hip Hop International in 2011 (A very popular hip hop competition). She comes from Māori background. This set was made up out of a range of hip hop movements that were combined with Māori Kapa Haka actions. 

This term our class has been focusing on the Tukutuku panels in the school whare (building), where we made choreography to show the panels and their meanings behind them. To continue on with the idea of the Tukutuku panels as well as incorporating our interest in Hip Hop Dance, the PFA department organised for Raukawa to come and share her knowledge with us. 

The dance class learnt a lot about what it is like to participate and collaborate through dance in a large group, how to navigate their way around the music and movements, and how to incorporate culture into dance. We had a great experience learning a diverse set and how we can embrace culture through dance. 

The class will continue working to be creative with this dance and perfecting it so we can prepare for our assessment later this term. You will also be able to come and see this dance, our choreographies and many other items in the Term 2 showcase.

By Ave Almandoz