Culture helps brothers to succeed and inspire

Successful Northland College siblings Te Paerangi and Te Kopa Kopa encourage each other to achieve. Photo / Debbie Beadle

They are successful siblings but for Northland College's Te Paerangi and Te Kopa Kopa there is no rivalry, only support and encouragement to achieve.

Te Paerangi Kopa, in Year 13 and head boy at Northland College, won the Ta Himi Henare bilingual section of the Nga Manu Korero speech competition last month.

Meanwhile, his younger brother Te Kopa Kopa, who is in Year 11 at the college, was selected to play wheelchair basketball for New Zealand. They said their Maori culture is what shaped them into being young role models.

"It's pretty much my life. My passion. Live it. Breathe it," said Te Paerangi.

Te Paerangi had competed in Nga Manu Korero for numerous years, where his experience and confidence grew.

"Last year I came third and it made me hungrier to do better," he said.

His speech was about "interpreting powhiri in an English perspective" and he said winning was an emotional feeling.

"It was overwhelming. At the time I was over the moon. My brother [Te Kopa] did the haka and I felt like crying. Actually, a tear did run down my face."

Northland College principal Jim Luders said Te Paerangi's win was "massive". "It's a good affirmation for the kids to see the head boy take out this top trophy. In the Maori world, this trophy is massive."

Te Kopa was playing for the Northland Te Raki wheelchair basketball team when he was selected to play for New Zealand.

"It made me feel speechless, overwhelmed. A dream come true," Te Kopa said.

Mr Luders said Te Kopa was a "phenomenal success" and a great asset to the college. "It's inspirational. An absolute victory for all students with mobile impairment. It gives us great pride, we are immensely proud."

Te Kopa's neighbour, who played wheelchair basketball himself, had encouraged Te Kopa to succeed in the sport.

"Jamie Tapp's been trying to get me to play since primary," Te Kopa said.

He gave the sport a go at the start of last year and travelled to Whangarei Boys' High School every Tuesday for training. He will represent New Zealand in Sydney in October.

Mr Luders said their successes would help shape the Kopa brothers' futures.

"What wonderful role models for Ngapuhi and the future of Ngapuhi.

"We're seeing the future leadership of Ngapuhi emerging. One day they'll be the rangatira."

The brothers were brought up in Otaua and attended Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Kaikohe before moving to Northland College.

Next year it will be Northland College's turn to host Nga Manu Korero, and the year after the school will host the Tai Tokerau Kapa Haka festival.