Boots ‘n all

Te Awamutu Intermediate year eight student Pokaia Heke

When Te Awamutu Intermediate’s all-star kapa haka group was at the Celebrating Waipā event at Karāpiro last week it was hard not to notice year eight student Pokaia Heke.

Pokaia has been recovering from a bad ankle injury and, says teacher Matiu Paraone, often performs without her boot. Last week the ankle was clearly giving her a bit more pain – but boot ‘n all, the Year 8 student stepped up.

She’s great kid,” Paraone told The News.

See: hard calls coming.

More Recent News

Building a champion

24 April 2025 The original article has been changed. Timmo’s ITM is still owned and operated by Clayton and Nicky Timmo and not Jack Mathis’ brother. Timmo’s joined ITM in 2004 and after nearly 40…

Kennedy fluoride move greeted

Anti-fluoride campaigners are claiming another victory as the United States administration takes an increasingly negative view of the use of the chemical. The latest move has seen US Health Secretary Robert Kennedy announcing plans to…

Board neutral on water option

The consultation process surrounding the formation of a seven-council controlled water authority has been described as a bitter pill to swallow. Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community board member Sally Whitaker said she felt like Waipā District Council’s…

Creativity on show

Te Awamutu Creative Fibre group members will show off their mastery in town next week. An array of products, many of them made from scratch using centuries-old skills, will be available for purchase, including a…