Kapa haka performance in Te Awamutu
Aiden Vanner was introduced to kapa haka at Kihikihi Primary School more than two decades ago.
Event organiser Aiden Vanner and Ōhaupō School student Zadie Crawford-Berntsen. Photo: Jesse Wood
Now he’s inspiring the next generation.
Last week, the Ōhaupō Primary School teacher organised Te Taitūperepere Kapa Haka Festival, a kapa haka event hosting more than 1500 students from 16 Waipā groups.
Across two days at the Te Awamutu Event Centre, it was a celebration of art, culture and whānau.
Aiden was elated to see his students perform in front of the masses and walk away with an award – Rōpū Humarie – the most pleasant or beautiful group.
Eli Harrod from Te Kura Tuatahi o Te Awamutu was one of hundreds of young performers who were out of class last week to perform at the kapa haka festival in the TSB Stadium.
He paid tribute to everyone who came out and supported “our kaupapa, our tamariki – children – with what they have learned, the culture, everything that we embody as Māori”.
“The community is who we do it for and the community is what drives us to keep doing what we’re doing.
“My biggest highlight was my rōpū, group, performing their waiata that they’ve worked so hard on all year. Everything was a highlight.”
Ōhaupō Year 7 student Zadie Crawford-Berntsen has been involved in kapa haka since 2018.
“It was nerve wracking seeing everybody staring at you and watching you,” Zadie said.
Pekapekarau Primary School were one of the day two performers. Photo: Jesse Wood
Having friends and classmates made her feel more relaxed performing.
“My highlight was watching all the other schools perform their items, watching and learning from them,” Zadie said.
It was the first time Aiden had put together something of that magnitude. He was pleased with the fruit.
“Each school had varying numbers. The smallest school we had was about 25 students and the largest was 180.
“My kapa haka journey began when I was Year 9 at Te Awamutu College in 2009. As soon as I stepped onto Ōtāwhao Marae, that’s when my journey really began.
There were more than 1500 people through the doors across the two days. Photo: Jesse Wood
“I got introduced to it at Kihikihi Primary School but not as much as when I stepped onto Ōtāwhao.
“I wouldn’t have been able to organise this without the guidance of the people that organised it last year, Sunny West and Cedric Kapa from Kihikihi Primary School, or without the leadership team of our committee that helped put all of this festival together.
“I would be completely beside myself without the constant support of everyone around me. Especially Chris Rennie, my tumuaki, the principal of Ōhaupō School.”
Te Awamutu Intermediate School will run the festival in 2026.
Day one winners: Ngā Kōhanga Reo o Te Purapura o Kakepuku – Rōpū Harikoa, Te Kōhanga Reo o Tuhikaramea – Rōpū Puawai, Koromatua Tuakana – Rōpū Manu tīoriori, Kura Pōtiki o Te Wharekura o Ngā Purapura o Te Aroha – Rōpū Tino Kaha, Kihikihi School – Rōpū Maioha, Koromatua Teina – Rōpū Whakamanawa, Hauturu School – Rōpū Hūmārie, Pokuru School – Rōpū Rangimarie.
Day two winners: Te Awamutu College – Te Hokai Rangatahi – Rōpū Whakamana, Ngutunui School – Rōpū Whakaahuru, Pirongia School – Rōpū Whakaputa, Te Kura Tuatahi o Te Awamutu (Te Awamutu Primary School) – Rōpū Whakatupu, Pekapekarau Primary School – Rōpū Taurima, Te Kura Waenganui o Te Awamutu – Te Ara Whakamaua (Te Awamutu Intermediate School) – Pakāea (mauri), Kura Pōtiki o Te Wharekura o Ngā Purapura o Te Aroha – Rōpū Tangata Toa, Ōhaupō School – Rōpū Hūmārie.
There was plenty of colour on display at the event. Photo: Jesse Wood
