Groups performing in the Te Arawa kapa haka competition shine

IN THE NAME: Group leaders are (left) Hiko o Te Rangi Curtis (second in Kaitataki Tane) and Paniwaka Curtis (first equal in Kaitataki Wahine). PHOTO/SUPPLIED

The most outstanding display of kapa haka from primary school students in years.

That's how the performance of groups competing in the Te Arawa Primary Schools Kapa Haka Competition has been described by the competition's organising committee chairman, Whangamarino School principal Rawiri Wihapi.

A total of 570 pupils took to the stage representing 13 schools in the Te Arawa rohe on Saturday at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre, with each group performing for 30 minutes.

The sold out competition was held to find the five groups to represent the area at the national contest next year.

The 17 judges picked Te Wharekura o Ngati Rongomai as the winning group, with Rotorua Primary School second, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Ruamata third, Te Kura o Te Koutu fourth and Rotorua Intermediate School fifth.

"It was one of the most outstanding displays of student kapa haka I have seen for a very long time," Mr Wihapi said.

He said that was a result of up-and-coming tutors spending hundreds of hours with the groups.

"We have a very high standard of tutorship. They are the ones giving the skills to these students. We can only thank these tutors for the time and commitment they have spent in the last 14 weeks. Every group that performed were outstanding."

Mr Wihapi said there were tears of pride from the hundreds of family and friends supporting the groups.

"It's all about kapa haka at the end of the day and the kids. The most important thing is that the kids enjoy it."

Mr Wihapi said it was pleasing to see two new groups join the competition this year, Te Kura o Hirangi from Turangi and Te Matai-Te Kura a Iwi o Tapuika from Te Puke.

The nationals will be held next year in either Hastings or Gisborne.

Te Arawa Primary Schools Kapa Haka Results 2016

TOP 5
1st Te Wharekura o Ngati Rongomai
2nd Rotorua Primary School
3rd Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Ruamata
4th Te Kura o Te Koutu
5th Rotorua Intermediate School

NON AGGREGATE

Waiata Tira (choral)
1st equal Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Ruamata/Rotorua Intermediate School/Whangamarino School
Kaitataki Tane
3rd Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Ruamata
2nd Te Wharekura o Ngati Rongomai
1st Rotorua Intermediate School
Kaitataki Wahine
3rd Whangamarino School
1st equal Rotorua Primary School/Te Wharekura o Ngati Rongomai
Nga Kakahu (dress)
1st equal Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Ruamata/Te Wharekura o Ngati Rongomai/Whangamarino School

AGGREGATE

Whakaeke (entry)
2nd equal Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Ruamata/Rotorua Intermediate School/Te Kura o Te Koutu/Te Wharekura o Ngati Rongomai
1st Rotorua Primary School
Waiata Tawhito (chant)
3rd equal Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Ruamata/Rotorua Primary School
2nd Te Kura o Te Koutu
1st Te Wharekura o Ngati Rongomai
Waiata A Ringa (action song)
3rd Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Ruamata
2nd Whangamarino School
1st Rotorua Intermediate School
Poi
3rd Rotorua Primary School
1st equal Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Ruamata/Te Wharekura o Ngati Rongomai
Haka
3rd Whangamarino School
2nd Te Kura o Te Koutu
1st Te Wharekura o Ngati Rongomai
Whakawatea (exit)
2nd equal Te Wharekura o Ngati Rongomai/Rotorua Intermediate School
1st Whangamarino School
Te Reo (the language)
3rd Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Ruamata/Rotorua Intermediate School/Rotorua Primary School/Whangamarino School
2nd Te Kura o Te Koutu
1st Te Wharekura o Ngati Rongomai