Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Rangiawhia, at Whatuwhiwhi, entered the Maranga Mai e te Iwi primary/intermediate school kapa haka regional competition for the first time this year, and it was a spectacularly successful debut.
The roopu won the waiata tira (choral), whakaeke (entrance), moteatea (chant) and waiata a ringa (action song) categories, was second in poi, haka and whakawatea (exit), and was the overall winner, qualifying it for the national primary school competition (Te Mana Kuratahi Whakataetae) in Palmerston North over November 2-5 next year.
Raymond Davis won the manukura tane (male leader) title, and Te Okahika Tana was runner-up to the best manukura wahine (female leader).
Tutors Missy Edwards, Henare King and Tunui Raui said they wanted to thank the sponsors who helped with the purchase of new uniforms, travel, and kai for noho, namely the Haititaimarangai Marae Trust, Haititaimarangai Marae, Karikari Educare, Bay View 2007, Kenana Marae, the Haititaimarangai Trust, the Karikari Fire Party, the Karikari Marae Committee, V Moko, Te Runanga o Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri (Swiss), Kaiako, Tumuaki Puti Gardiner and the board of trustees.
"Last but not least our awesome whanau who followed their tamariki on their journey from the start to the finish," they added.
