Kapa Haka helps students embrace New Zealand culture

Kapa haka groups in the south of the country demonstrated their skills by participating in the Nga Putangitangi kapa haka competition.

St Patricks School’s kapa haka teacher Hannah Rikiti said the traditional form of Maori performing arts is taught in schools to teach students who we are as New Zealanders.

The school’s intermediate kapa haka team have been working since February to perfect their routine for the competition, which was held at Southland Stadium on Friday.

One of the contest’s three volunteer organizers, Desiree Andrews, said the contest is a platform for children to have fun and practice kapa haka for the community.

“It shows New Zealand’s bicultural and multicultural diversity.”

The team, called Hato Tatariki and consisting of 40 members, won first place in the middle division.

Their performance was inspired by Kino Shanley (Thompson), one of the founders of Nga Putangitangi with Sister Judith Robinson.

“The kids worked hard and shone on stage,” said Rikiti.

What is more important is the joy the students get from playing.

In addition to placing first in their section, they won awards for male leader, female leader, poi, haka, action song – waiata-a-ringa, and first match for their waiata tira. . They placed second for their release song – whakawatea, and third for their entry song – whakaeke, moteatea and for their uniform.

The school was very happy with their performance, said Rikiti.

A total of 18 groups from 12 schools, from Bluff, Invercargill, Limehills and Arrowtown, participated.

Other contest winners included; Novice: Limehills School. Junior: Winner of years 1 to 3: Te Nga Kakano o te kura kaupapa maori o arowhenua. Senior: Winner of 7th to 8th grade Verdon College – Rangatahi Piki Ake. Kino Shanley – Trophy for the best demonstration of pleasure: Arrowtown School.