Te Roopu Kapa Haka o Maungawharau
Over the past year Te Roopu Kapa Haka o Maungawharau
has been practising in order to learn and appreciate many
different characteristics that Maori hold very dear. Kotahitanga,
aroha, whakawhanaungatanga and Te Reo Maori were the
characteristics that we decided were important to us and we
used this as our kaupapa for our Kapa Haka this year.
Our small group have attended three noho marae and
there we truly became a whanau, we bonded together and
have come out of Kapa Haka happy and fulfilled. The noho
marae we attended taught us to work together and learn a
performance bracket that has helped all of us become more
confident in our day to day lives.
Performance day was nerve wracking, but we knew that we
had the skills to wow the audience and ultimately impress the
judges. We performed 5th on the day and this allowed us
to enjoy the other groups from around this rohe. As a group
we were extremely happy with our overall placing at 7th. Our
group would not have been able to experience any of the
amazing things we have been involved in over the past year
without the help from Whaea Matthews, Whaea Lissa Pearce
(who worked on the kakahu that won 1st place at regionals) and all the parents who helped
us with kai and support throughout the entire year. Most importantly, we would not be a tight
knit group without our two tutors who have given up their time to come and teach us. Matua
Hunny Williams and Koka Atareta Savae thank you. These two amazing people have become a
part of our whanau and we are extremely grateful for all the things that they have done for us.
We hope to keep our roopu strong even when we part at the end of the year. Because we are
the
tuakana of the group:- Te Wharangi Hapuku, Arapeta Ashton, Shavon Konia and myself
are all very proud to be leaving Te Roopu Kapa Haka o Maungawharau in the capable hands of
our tutors, supporting teachers, members of kapa haka and their whanau. We will miss Havelock
North High School very much when we leave but will be happy with what we have left here to
prosper. Being the tuakana of the group has been hard but very rewarding.
We saw people come out of their shells and show us their amazing talent; we got to grow
strong relationships with people who enjoyed Kapa Haka and its ability to bring together people
from all races and backgrounds. Though our junior students have only known us for a short time
they have become our little brothers and sisters, they have found that we seniors are willing to
help them out in all things, not only in Kapa Haka but also their academics and general school
life. Kapa Haka has brought us together as an entire whanau and the relationships that we have
I hope never diminish. Kapa Haka will always be a part of Havelock North High School. It means
a lot for us that we can say that we helped to showcase Maoritanga throughout the kura and
hopefully the community. Whaia te iti kahurangi me tuoho koe me he maunga teitei.
-Chelsea Collins