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
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 tothe 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
