Author Angie Belcher reading The Girls from the Kapa Haka to children at Te Puke'sLearning Adventures. Engrossed are Jackson Mounsey and Keira Cheetham.
Originally published in 2006 The Girls in the Kapa Haka by local writers Angie Belcher and Debbie Tipuna, has been reissued for a new generation of performers.
The book, a long-time favourite with play centres and primary schools, follows the making and wearing of the piupiu.
It was inspired by
Maketū Kuia, Googie Tapsell, who often had flax hanging outside to dry and could be found making and demonstrating the construction of piupiu at what was originally Kiwi 360.
A former teacher at Maketū Primary School it seemed only natural for Angie to draw inspiration from the school's kapa haka group and performances at Whakaue Marae.
Maungatapu-based illustrator Debbie Tipuna used her experiences as a student at Waiariki Polytechnic to create the illustrations. It was there she developed a love of Māori arts.
