Pride on the line in school haka event

There is no doubt that the students at Stratford High School were full of school pride at the school's annual haka competition on Thursday afternoon.

The houses Amess, Trimble, McAllister and Tyrer went head to head on the stadium floor to prove which house had the most school spirit.

Distinguished judges for the afternoon were carefully selected says event organiser Matt Cleaver, adding while there were former students in the mix he was confident there would be no bias.

Kayanna Holley, iwi liaison officer at the Stratford Police, says as a judge she was looking for "tingles".

I will know it is the winning performance by how it makes me feel, which house gives me the tingles.

Kayanna Holley, iwi liaison officer. Stratford Police

Fellow judge Vanessa Pakipaki agrees, adding that a strong haka performance is all about heart.

Third judge Brendon Haami says a winning haka is a dedication to the performance, "the unity of the students all putting in 100 per cent".

Each house performed the school's haka, which was written five years ago by senior students at the time, after months of practising.

It was the final house event for the term and Trimble's moving performance won them the top place in the haka competition as well as house trophy for term three.