Teacher Keeri Stanley-Kaweroa's students love Ciara's song Level Up.
Every morning before school Te Kura O Matapihi Year 5students sing and dance to it and it gets them going, Keeri says.
There was just one thing that annoyed Keeri — Matapihi School is full immersion te reo and Level Up is not. So she wrote a te reo version of it.
"I went home and wrote it in one night and recorded it on my gaming headset. I played it to the kids and they loved it."
The students then took charge of the project, including its choreography. Maia Moss, 10, did most of the videography and editing.
It's been an exciting time for the children as the video has put them in the running for The Great Te Māngai Pāho Video Challenge as well as becoming MADE Awards finalists.
"My class wanted to do something that could make a difference to others and would help others to see the value of not only learning te reo Māori but using it in every context," Keeri says.
The word "kawea" (meaning to influence) is used throughout the song Kawea Te Reo Māori.
"They wanted something different that showed other tamariki that being Māori is cool and we can use the best of both worlds and collide them both into a fun but inspirational video. Being Māori is cool, speaking te reo is cool and if you have got it — use it. If you don't, learn it.
"They researched and found a new app, then in groups they edited a small section each for the video."
Keeri has encouraged her students to use the language that has been passed down from ancestors.
"The idea of the video is to make children aware that they are the key to the revitalisation of te reo Māori."
It is also a reminder that te reo is for everyone, not just Māori, Keeri says.
Principal Tui Rolleston says she was very proud of the pupils.
"It's quite neat to actually see them being able to get engaged with the music and the dance and the digital learning while actually doing it through the medium of Māori. It has been great to see them celebrate it in te reo Māori."
She says Keeri is "pretty awesome" and amazing.
"She is like a young gun teacher and we have a few at the school."
Te Kura O Matapihi has a school roll of about 160.