Pakuranga College’s talented kapa haka group has showcased its skills in a prestigious cultural competition.
The school says the group, called Te Tai o Pakuranga, is on a mission to bring east Auckland’s Maori culture to the fore.
It’s started by competing in the prestigious Te Ahurea Tino Rangatiratanga event, staged at Westlake Boys High School on October 29, for the first time.
The contest brings together the country’s best kapa haka kura with the college up against schools ranked second and third nationally within their Auckland heat.
Michael Long, Pakuranga College’s 2021 head student and its kapa haka tutor, says: “East Auckland isn’t traditionally well-known for its Maori culture, so we wanted to participate primarily to showcase that culture.
“We also wanted to challenge ourselves against the best kapa haka kura so we can experience that level of excellence and bring that inspiration back to our school.”
The group’s 28 performers practised 15 hours a week for months in the lead-up to the competition, where they performed seven numbers in stunning new korowai by Korowai Designs.
Te Tai o Pakuranga performed to a high level, winning the Best Dressed School and Best Attitude awards in the Auckland heat.
The school’s co-lead kapa haka tutor, Jacob Ripley, says it was a huge occasion for everyone involved.
“There were some tears before taking the stage.
“That feeling we’d actually done it and we were here as the first ropu from Pakuranga College after 12 months of planning and intense preparation.
“I’m incredibly proud of our rangatahi and seeing them enjoy the performance definitely helped settle the nerves.”
Pakuranga College head student and kapa haka female leader Kayla Ngaropo says: “The experience was invaluable for our students and I can’t wait to see how they apply it to kapa haka next year.
“We were especially pleased to win the award for Best Attitude.
“That absolutely shows the mana this ropu has.”
