Crash can't stop kapa haka girls

IN THE DITCH: A bus carrying students and staff from Turakina Maori Girls' College went off the road just south of Gisborne on Sunday. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A local schoolgirl kapa haka team will begin their national campaign today, despite their bus crashing and injuring 15 people on the way to the competition.

Twelve students and three staff from Turakina Maori Girls' College were injured in the crash just south of Gisborne on Sunday, with the last student released from Gisborne Hospital last night with a broken bone.

Emergency services were called about 3.30pm on Sunday after the school bus ran off the road and crashed into a ditch on Whareata Rd, 15 minutes out of Gisborne. They were heading to the National Secondary Schools Kapa Haka competition in Gisborne.

College board co-chairperson Piri-Hira Tukapa said the girls were coping well with the ordeal.

"They're a strong bunch and I think it might make them stronger ... it's probably made them closer."

Ms Tukapa said the school got the bus four months ago. She could not say what caused the crash, but said it was under investigation.

The bus, with up to 40 people on board, was being driven by a member of staff.

The group had been well supported by the national kapa haka committee, other schools and whanau, Ms Tukapa said.

"We had whanau that had already made the trip to Gisborne, and there were whanau behind the bus as well - the support was right there."

The kapa haka group attended the powhiri for the event yesterday.

A St John Ambulance spokesman said no one was trapped in the crash but 15 people were taken to hospital with minor to moderate injuries, mainly cuts and bruises.

Police said no information was available about what caused the crash.

The 2014 National Secondary Schools festival began yesterday and ends on Friday with 42 teams across 14 regions competing.