Pasifika group wows Hastings District Council

Boys from Hastings Boys' High School sang, danced, and clapped their way into the hearts of the Hastings councillors.

The boys, from the school's Pasifika group Tama Akina,were celebrating their win at the Super Eight, a competition between central North Island high schools.

Hasting Boys' Cultural Captain, John Sali , said Tama Akina was like a second home.

"This poly group is good for them because they can come out of their comfort zone and show their true colours," Sali said.

"For the boys it's just, like, a big help to them, it's just like another home to them."

Tama Akina is a mixed cultural group, and they perform pieces from places like Samoa, Kiribati, Tonga and Fiji.

"Super Eight was a thrill to us boys," Sali said.

"Last year we also won Super Eight and the pressure was on myself to make sure the title doesn't go anywhere, and stays home."

The group preformed a Samoan Fa'ataupati and a Samoan Haka for the council.

"I'd like to see us try and manage that!" joked Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst.

Hazlehurst said the council was incredibly proud to see the boys representing Hastings.

"You made us so proud," she told the boys at the end of their performance.

Councillor for Flaxmere, Henare O'Keefe, said it was a privilege to watch.

"You brought the chamber alive," O'Keefe said.

"This is what the chamber is all about, it's about you, it's about action, it's about energy."

Super Eight is a cultural and sporting competition between eight boys' high schools.

The Pasifika performance section is only in it's second year, with Tama Akina winning the top title two years in a row.

The boys who preformed at the council were Dontae Saoagi, Francis Utalia, Posala Hunt, Jack Manu, Ulla Sanele and Derek Fa'avae