It was a day for proud whanau – but none would have been prouder than Rangimarie Waitai to see their stars of kapa haka.
Thirty minutes before the start of Waipā’s schools kapa haka festival in the ASB Stadium in Te Awamutu on Friday she did what everyone else was doing – talk to the person sitting next to them.
Among the youngest darlings of the show were, from left, Maikara Koroheke-King, Hināia Waretini-Huata and Amohau Harrison from Iti a Rata kohanga reo.
That happened to be me, camera in hand, waiting to get a series of pics – and also to see whānau perform. And here started a quick history lesson.
Waitai recalled how she was a teacher at Pekarau (now Pekapekarau) School when the first festival was staged 2006 – and she helped both her and other schools with their kapa haka.
“I always dreamed for our kids would have an opportunity to celebrate their Māoritanga,” she recalled.
There was influential help from the like of tikanga Māori and te reo Māori advisor Paraone Gloyne as more and more schools became involved. Not just Waipā. Kāwhia joined in.
Taamina Rewha-Te Huia, left, and Tīahomāia Te Uri Karaka perform for Te Wharekura o Ngā Purapura o Te Aroha.
“Kāwhia was part of the journey – it was important to include our tribal homeland,” Waitai said – while pointing out the Kāwhia contingent behind us as Pirongia students walked in.
She has been helping with Te Awamutu College more recently, and as student came in and acknowledged her, she told one his hoodie would have to be removed. It clearly wasn’t up to her standard.
On this day at a free event with no tickets you couldn’t put an entirely accurate count on the number of those proud whanau who came to watch – but 2500 wouldn’t be an unreasonable.guess.
“And 80 per cent of the students here speak te reo,” Waitai added.
She was particularly proud to see the event under its name – Te Taitūperepere – and humbled to have been part of it.
From left, Peyton Rogers, Agam Mahal and Anthony Gibbes on stage for Te Awamutu Primary School
The event was this year hosted by Te Kura o Kihikihi, whose principal Sunny West celebrated a fantastic event.
Her highlight? ”So many to choose from – but it’s seeing an entire community come together and the success and smiles of all the children.”
Not just the children. Raukawa Trust’s support extended to setting up a special place in front of the stage of kaumātua.
Ōhaupō kura hosts the 2025 event.
See: Nannys eyes have it
Rangimarie Waitai watches on with pride at a festival she has seen grow over almost a 20 year period.
Pirongia School’s Nixon Taukiri’s voice could be heard throughout the stadium.
In focus from Pirongia School were, from left, Hope Payton, Maia Davis-Uerata, Hannah Ashwell, Sia Joshi, Nellie Muckle, Zalaya-Rose Stevens and Payton Collins
Tuhiwai Hauiti-Parapara, from Te Wharekura o Ngā Purapura o Te Aroha lays down the challenge.
Te Awamutu Primary School was well represented at the festival.
