Kura's friendly Te Matatini rivalry a bonus for pupils

Te Wharekura o Ngati Rongomai teachers (from left) Hiria Vaka, Deana Rika, Miri Morrison-Hare, Tukiterangi Curtis, Renata Curtis, Maraea Te Rangi and Ngati Kuia Wehipeihana. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

They say a little friendly competition never hurt anyone.

So Te Wharekura o Ngati Rongomai is proud and excited to have seven of its staff members representing Te Arawa groups at Te Matatini in Hastings this week.

Te Matatini is regarded as the pinnacle event of celebrating Maori performing arts. There will be 47 teams from New Zealand and Australia competing during three days.

Te Wharekura o Ngati Rongomai, which won the Te Arawa Primary Schools Kapa Haka competition in November, have six kaiako (teachers), staff and a few seniors of the school involved in the competition, representing four of the five Te Arawa groups.

There's a little bit of friendly competition driving the various groups, but they are all proud to represent Te Arawa.

''We often have friendly banter between ourselves as to the progress of our individual kapa when we return to work on Mondays after a weekend of intense practising,'' said deputy principal Renata Curtis, female leader of Te Pikikotuku o Rongomai.

''But we are supportive of each other and want everyone and every group to experience success.''

Mrs Curtis said this was a great asset for their kura as the leadership models and wealth of knowledge they could share with tamariki (children) was a special thing. Most of the school's tamariki and whanau will be attending the event.

Principal Tukiterangi Curtis is also with Te Pikikotuku o Ngati Rongomai, Hiria Vaka is the female leader of Ngati Rangiwewehi, Deana Rika (former Ngati Rangiwewehi female leader) is a judge, Maraea Te Rangi is with Te Hikuwai and Miri Morrison-Hare (female leader) and Ngatikuia Wehipeihana are with Te Matarae i Orehu.

This year Te Arawa groups include Ngati Rangiwewehi Kapa Haka, Te Pikikotuku o Ngati Rongomai, Te Matarae I Orehu, Te Hikuwai and Tuhourangi-Ngati Wahiao.