Not only are performers putting their best feet forward for Te Matatini 2017 - but several are using it as a chance to progress their education by earning NCEA credits and even tertiary. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
Mahaki Whauwhau knows what he wants to do when he leaves school - and he knows how to get there.
Mahaki Whauwhau says he wants to get an Arts degree and do tattooing, "just because it's my passion".
His education provider is Te Aho o te Kura Pounamu - acorrespondence school which uses tikanga to encourage students like Mahaki to follow their dreams.
"Te Kura kinda helps our Māori side they just give us a lot of support," Mahaki says.
Used to watching from the stands it's the 15-year-old's first taste of stepping onto the stage - and he could even get some NCEA credits for it.
Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu CEO Mike Hollings says an aspect of gaining performing arts credits is doing kapa haka, and having "evidence" that students have performed and they've learnt the moves as well as the quality of the performance.
But, with kapa haka there's far more than what meets the eye.
Te Whare Wānanga of Awanuiārangi Deputy CEO Evie O'Brien says: "People who participate in performing arts are so dedicated, or have a resilience because they make sacrifices, those are all transferable skills into the workforce."
