Almost 700 tamariki from across Te Tauihu, took to the stage at Trafalgar Centre on Friday for Te Huinga Whetū kapa haka competition.
Eighteen schools and kura from Wairau to Tapawera took to the stage, with Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Tuia te Matangi taking out the top spot and a clean sweep in all performed disciplines.
Te Pitau Whakarei (Nelson Intermediate School) placed second overall with Motueka’s Ngā Mātātupu (Parklands School) placing third.
This qualified all three rōpū (groups) to represent our rohe (region) at the national competitions Te Mana Kuratahi which is to be hosted here from 29 October to 3 November 2023.
The competition came just two days after the 50th anniversary of the Māori language petition, Te Petihana Reo Māori, which organisers say was significant considering the amount of kapa taking to the stage.
It was the first time a kapa haka festival has sold out in the region which Te Tauihu Māori Culture Council member Janis de Thierry says is strong messaging that Te Tauihu communities continue to want these events.
“It was great to see growth in the number of competitive teams, from seven in 2020, to 12 this year,” adds kapa haka events coordinator Melissa Barnett.
Ngā Aho Rau, The Nelson College and Nelson College for Girls combined rōpū, had just returned from competing at the national secondary competition Te Kapa Haka Kura Tuarua ki Aotearoa 2022, where they were filmed in Auckland on Wednesday, with judging to take place this week.
The youngest competitors, some of whom only started school last month, were from Te Rōpū Wikitoria (Victory Primary School). Melissa says it was great to see them on stage already “owning it”.
“These competitions couldn’t go ahead without all the help of our volunteers, support from Iwi, funders & sponsors,” Melissa says.
If you are interested in volunteering with Te Mana Kuratahi on 2023 please contact Melissa at melissa.barnett@ncc.govt.nz
