Rotorua school kapa haka groups have impressed judges at the Secondary Schools National Kapa Haka Championships in Gisborne with Rotorua schools placing in the top four.
Te Ropu Raukura from Rotorua Boys' High School and Rotorua Girls' High School finished second overall and the Te Kura Kaupapa collective group, Nga KKM o Te Puku o Te Ika a Maui, was named fourth after the finals held yesterday.
"It's awesome," said Rotorua Girls' High School teacher in charge Wai Morrison.
"I'm so proud of them, they were amazing.
"Their performance today was just marvellous. Prior to the finals we were in a pool with the top six winners from last year's nationals.
"Being able to say we beat such amazing groups to get into the finals makes the achievement taste that little bit sweeter."
Ms Morrison said the students were "absolutely buzzing out" after their final performance.
"After three months of hard work, we are very proud of the students and with so many juniors in the group this year, there are a lot of upcoming performers to look out for."
Nga KKM o Te Puku o Te Ika a Maui teacher in charge Kereama Wright said he was extremely proud of the students' efforts.
"We are grateful of our kids and their achievements in the competition, they can be very proud of how well they have done."
Mr Wright said their performance was dedicated to former Rotorua lawyer John David Rangitauira who died suddenly last Sunday.
"Mr Rangitauira has been in the minds of all the students and their performances yesterday and today were done in memory of him."
Mr Wright said the group was ecstatic to make it into the top nine finals this year.
"We were in a pool that had some kapa haka giants in terms of past winners so making it to the finals was a huge accomplishment."
Western Heights High School, Rotorua Lakes High School and Te Kura o Rongomai also took part in the competition.
The Secondary Schools National Kapa Haka Championships started on Tuesday and showcased schools from across New Zealand.
Results: Overall: Rakaumangamanga 1, Te Ropu Raukura 2, Nga Puna o Waiorea (Western Springs College) 3; Mita O Te Reo: Rakaumangamanga 1, Ritana/Waiorea/Te Puku 2 equal; Whakawatea: Nga KKM o Te Puku o Te Ika a Maui 1, Kura Ki Uta (Opotiki College)/Rakaumangamanga/Parorangi (Hato Paora) 3 equal; Haka: Hoani Waititi Marae 1, Opotiki College/Te Ropu Raukura 2 equal; Poi: Te Ropu Raukura 1, Rakaumangamanga/Opotiki College 2 equal; Waiata A Ringa: Nga Puna o Waiorea 1, Western Heights High School 2, Opotiki College 3; Whakaeke: Rakaumangamanga 1, Raukura 2, Waiorea 3; Waiata Tira: Te Puku o Te Ika/Heretaunga 1 equal, Te Whanau Tahi 3; Kaitiaki Tane: Western Heights High School 1, Te Puku o Te Ika 2, TKKM o Te Rawhitiroa 3; Kaitiaki Wahine: TKKM o Ngati Kahungunu ki Heretaunga 1, Waiorea 2, Rakaumangamanga 3; Kakahu: Kahurangi ki Maungawhau (Auckland Girls Grammar School) 1, Turanga Wahine, Turanga Tane 2, Rakaumangamanga/Nga Puna o Waiorea 3; Original Composition: Ruatoki/Te Puku 1 equal, Turanga Wahine, Turanga Tane 3.