Kapa haka is taught formally each week to all year levels within Ngā Uri O Ngā Iwi by a professional tutor with the support of kaiako.

Our students have been taught by many kapa haka exponents over the years. In 2021 they are being trained by Te Ruki Pierce-Dunn and while we choose not to enter competitions, our students are always preparing for public performances. 

For the previous 5 years, they were fortunate to receive the expert tuition of Whaea Vikki Demante who trained our tuākana kapa to perform at the APPA Festival for the first time in 2016.

Patrick Gale, Principal of Rangitoto College, commented :

"I am sending a quick email to congratulate Westmere School on the exceptional performance of your students at the APPA Choir evening at the Town Hall last night. I was incredibly impressed by the range of their talents and their obvious pride and commitment to kapa haka. Your students were an inspiration to us all, and offer me a great guide as to what can be achieved through the dedication of your Ngā Uri O Ngā Iwi staff and students."

Singing is incorporated into daily tikanga and learning. Kapa haka has always been a part of the NUONI curriculum with waiata composed for the unit by kuia Dianne Adams and a repertoire maintained over the years by Whaea Toru. Through our close ties with Western Springs College, students have at times been taught by former Te Puna O Waiorea students.

In 2002 a group of 6 Year 6 NUONI and former NUONI students travelled to China to represent Aotearoa at the Tianjin International Children’s Cultural and Arts Festival. They were tutored and accompanied by Whaea Toru and Whaea Rio and their performance showcased waiata a-ringa, haka, poi and tititorea.

NUONI used to perform at the Grey Lynn festival, the school’s Matariki disco and a variety of formal functions and powhiri around Tāmaki Makaurau. New boys and girls kapa haka costumes were created for the school’s 100th centenary school production, Te Rehu in 2015.

Many students from NUONI have also been members of the school’s choirs, Pasifika performance group, and dance groups. In 2004 a group of NUONI students, the Central Whānau Dancers won the Primary Schools Hip Hop Dance competition.

Music schools provide lessons both during and after school for tamariki who wish to learn a musical instrument. Prices and times are advertised on the school web page.