Ngaruawahia High School Yearbooks 2010-2012 Kapa Haka Tour of Western USA 1998 | Page 78

Page 76 - Ngaruawahia High School Kapa Haka USA Tour 1998

The group arrived via their hosts at the
LDS Chapel where Highland High School were
to hold their post-tournament evening. It was
situated close to the mountains.
There was a very large crowd (400+) of
high school rugby players and their supporters
who were afforded a sit-down meal prior to the
awards and festivities. Being in a church hall,
and the age group of the majority being 16-18
years there was no alcohol or smoking at the
function.
Richard Crawford introduced the group
and then the performance just blew the audience
away!
One teenage female member of the crowd
asked who a certain male performer was….
“Oh, that’s Te Whainoa.”
“I know! But what’s his name?”
“Te Whainoa!”
“I know he is the fine one, but what is his
name?”
The double-poi section of the programme
was greeted with roars and applause from the
audience, especially when Rangiherehere
became the focus of the number.
By observing the audience it seemed
apparent that the girls had made a hit with all the
young males in the hall and when the Haka was
performed everyone was riveted in their seats
and more than one young lady was openly
admiring the male’s physiques!
After the thankyous at the end the
Highland High School rugby team responded
with a Haka of their own – very impressive.
Highland had toured New Zealand and had
played against the Ngaruawahia High School
rugby team in 1996. Their school is made up of
over 27 nationalities where English is a second
language.
At the end of the evening Doug Richards
and his family who had traveled across the valley
to watch, privately presented Sandy with a very
substantial koha for the group – US$200.00!
The 24 members of the troupe gave a
display to be proud of and it was excellent to
have Corrie Wharakura well enough to join in
for his first performance in the States.
By 9:30pm the tourists departed with their
hosts for their final night in Salt Lake City, to be
up for a 7:30am departure south via Brigham
Young University.