"We want to make their parents proud and we want them to be proud of themselves... to step off that stage and know that they achieved something great."
Te Kura o Whakarewarewa principal Hariata Tapiata said the pupils had a ball.
"Having a good time is all we ever want to do - celebrating. The children love it, their parents love it, they are singing our iwi songs so it's very special.
Ms Tapiata said there was incredible support behind the group and between the schools.
"We have amazing support behind the scenes. Some of our mums were on the sewing machines until 1pm today. But it's not just support for each group, there's a huge support network between the schools as well.
"Rotorua Intermediate and Aorangi were kind enough to lend us piupiu for our performance and we loaned a uniform to a group that had a pupil without. The fellowship of performers is beautiful."
Year 8 pupil Chiquita Kiwara, 13, and Year 2 Rose Maranui, 7, took to the stage together.
"I was a bit scared to begin with but I stopped being nervous when we started singing," Rose said.
"This is my first year doing this kapa haka group so the lead-up was hard learning all the new songs and actions and making the poi," Chiquita said.
"I am glad I did it though, it was a lot of fun, I wish I could do it again next year."
Tomorrow's performers are Whangamarino School, Rotoma School, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o te Rotoiti, Rotokawa Primary School, Lynmore Primary School, Owhata School and Mokoia Intermediate School.
According to the festival's website it started in 1975 with only four schools. Those groups were Rotorua Primary, Whakarewarewa, Lynmore and Rotokawa.
Since then the committee of teachers, tutors and community personnel have been running the festival every year.
Now more than 30 groups perform each year during the week-long festival.
Check out the website for timetables and information.
