Kapa Haka impress in first public performances

Performing as part of the mihi whakatau which opened the ISNZ Conference in Christchurch on Saturday 31 August, was a special first public performance for the Secondary School Kapa Haka group, which has been reinvigorated this year by Teacher in Charge of Te Reo Māori, Wiremu Pickering.

Conference attendees were impressed by the group’s powerful performance, with lots of positive feedback says Wiremu.

Several people came up to me during the conference to tell me how great the group was. It was a huge moment for our ākonga.

Being an all-new group meant the students had to work extra hard to prepare for the performance, including a couple of all-day practices.

It took a while for them to gel, but through focusing on whanaungatanga, or building strong relationships, the students started to connect and develop an understanding of each other’s strengths. We also focused on building the confidence of the younger and quieter members of the group. I am proud of how far they’ve come.

On Wednesday 25 September, Kapa Haka students spent an afternoon with residents of The Village Palms Retirement Village in Shirley, performing five items, including a classic waiata which got the residents smiling, singing and reminiscing.

Under Wiremu’s leadership, Kapa Haka in the Secondary School is more active than it has been in years, with a core group of around 20 students from Years 9–13 taking part.

Students get great exposure to kapa haka in the Preparatory School, but we want to ensure this continues in the Secondary School. We’re planning lots more Kapa Haka performances at the College and in the community next year, along with participation in various competitions.

In his day-to-day role, Wiremu teaches Te Reo Māori in the Secondary School, and in 2025, will also take over the tikanga classes.

This year has been about learning new systems, getting to know the students, seeing where they are at with their Te Reo, and looking at ways to develop and grow both the language and tikanga programmes going forward.

A recent highlight, in early November, were the noho marae (overnight stays) at Ōnuku Marae in Akaroa, which saw the entire Year 9 cohort split into groups of around 80 students, with each group having a night on the marae and engaging in various activities, says Wiremu.

“The kaupapa was to provide a marae experience, immersing ākonga in activities such as Māori art, learning the history of the marae, and Māori weaponry. We also put the College’s new hangi steamer to good use, with each group having hangi for their main meal. The noho marae visits were a fantastic opportunity for students to step out of their comfort zone, mix with others, and gain a deeper appreciation for Māori traditions and culture,” Wiremu explains.