Nearly 3000 preschoolers and pupils from around the Tuwharetoa rohe (region) took part in last week's 29th annual Ngati Tuwharetoa Taipenga Schools Kapa Haka Festival at the Taupo Events Centre.
This year's festival, which was organised for the fifth consecutive year by Turangi's Te Kura o Hirangi School, was runover two-and-a-half days recently to give organisers and participants more time to get through the programme.
Te Kura o Hirangi principal Henarata Ham said the new format, which fitted in with the school day on Wednesday and Thursday, appeared to work much better for participating schools - some of which came from as faraway as Taumarunui.
Te Awhiorangi, Taupo-nui-a-Tia College.
She said the standard of kapa haka at the festival was high.
"We thought the standard had really lifted with excellent quality and pronunciation and would like to congratulate everyone involved."
Kapa haka in early childhood institutions and primary schools was strong and had helped boost the quality of performance at the festival.
Taupo Intermediate School. Photo / Karena Kaihe-Woolston
Special guests at this year's event were Rotorua-based performers Tareikura, whose Beyonce-inspired poi routine - Poiyonce - went viral on YouTube in July.
Ms Ham said the organising committee at Hirangi School had the festival organisation down to a fine art and things ran smoothly.
"We are extremely grateful to our teachers and the community who are committed to the kaupapa (event) helping make it accessible for everyone," she said.
