A Maori legend infused with hip hop dancing is at the centre of a Whangarei high school's inaugural entry into a popular national dance and drama competition.
While the two topics thought up by Tikipunga High School students may seem an unusual combination, creative freedom is at the centre of the
Subway 2005 Stage Challenge.
Around 30 mainly junior students are taking part in Nga Kete o te Wananga (Baskets of Knowledge). The Maori legend centres around the gathering of three baskets of knowledge, acceptance of yourself, connection with the universe and connection with each other.
There's lots of action as brothers Whiro, god of evil and darkness, and Tane Mahuta, god of the forest, fight it out to get the baskets.
Students have used hip hop dancing to show the relevance of that knowledge today.
Some of the music danced to is original, written by two of the school's musicians, Victor and Norman.
Student Annetia Alison-Paul was excited about performing at the Northland finals on July 4 at Whangarei's Forum North. Finals will be held on July 5.
"I've enjoyed practising and I really liked helping to choreograph everything," Annetia said.
Tikipunga High School drama and dance teacher Maran Sutherlin said students came up with the Maori legend theme as they "recognised they needed knowledge to get a good job and be successful".
The eager students have been practising their eight-minute performance since school started in February, every school lunchtime and even after school.
Over 150 schools and over 15,000 students around the country will take part in the Subway 2005 Stage Challenge, where students are in charge of every aspect of choreography and set design.
