Cousins unite as kapa haka leaders

Two cousins will combine their talents to lead their kapa haka group at the Te Arawa Secondary Schools Regional Kapa Haka Competition.

The biennial competition on Friday is a feature of Maori Language Week, with nine kapa haka groups across 11 schools taking part at the Energy Events Centre.

Rotorua Girls' High School and Rotorua Boys' High school have entered two kapa haka groups into this year's competition, including 2011 winners Raukura and up-and-coming group Puhikura. Stephanie Winiata, 17, the female leader for Puhikura, said she was enjoying leading the group but it was "a bit strange" leading alongside her cousin Nanae Timoti-Duff, from Boys' High.

"It is a bit challenging," she said. "But the biggest challenge for me is working with my voice as the leader."

Stephanie, a Year 13 student at Girls' High, said this was her first time at the regional competition.

"We are all nervous, we don't know what to expect," she said.

"We just want to enjoy it and if we place it will be even better."

The top three kapa haka groups will go through to the national final in Gisborne next year.

Girls' High student Patarihia Smith, 14, said she loved being involved with Puhikura, building friendships and having fun.

She said she had done Stage Challenge in the past but felt more pressure coming into the kapa haka competition.

"For me kapa haka is more nerve-wracking than Stage Challenge, it is more about showing the cultural side of yourself and expressing that."

The group of 16 girls and 21 boys will perform for about 25 minutes.

The competition will be judged by 21 judges and is organised by Te Arawa Pouako i Te Reo.

Te Arawa Secondary Schools Regional Kapa Haka Competition entrants and performance times:

9am Te Ahi Tapeka (Te Kura o Hirangi and Tongariro School)

9.40am Te Kura o Te Koutu

10.20am Te Roopu Manaaki (Western Heights High School)

11am Te Iti Rearea (Rotorua Lakes High School and Te Wharekura o Ngati Rongomai)

11.40am Te Puku (Te Kura o Te Puku)

1.30pm Puhikura (Rotorua Boys' High School and Rotorua Girls' High School)

2.10pm John Paul College

2.50pm Te Awhiorangi (Taupo-nui-a-Tai College)

3.30pm Raukura (Rotorua Boys' High School and Rotorua Girls' High School)