Tuesday, October 3, 2017
SHOWING the feeling of performing at Delamere Cup are three members of the Papa Te Whai (Ashbrook School) kapa haka that came in third behind Waioweka and the winners Whangaparaoa School. Photos Paul Massey D6015-06
Ross McCullough
THE whanau and crowd support was strong on Friday and Saturday at the Delamere Cup – as always – with Opotiki district schools’ kapa haka put forward their best performances on the big stage.
The Delamere Cup for seniors this year went to Te Kura Mana Maori o Whangaparaoa, the school that had travelled the farthest, with Waioeka second, and Papa Te Whai (Ashbrook) third.
In the novice section on the first day of competition, held in the Opotiki College hall, it was Waioeka which took top spot and Papa Te Whai 1 second.
Three kapa haka from the school participated in the novice section this year.
On the morning of the second day of competition, in the pipi section, it was the turn of newcomers to kapa haka, with the youngsters judged on the six different areas as part of their performances including the whakaeke, moteatea, waiata-a-ringa, poi, haka, and the whakawatea.
It came down to a tight battle in the finish with Omarumutu School just getting the upper hand over Waioeka.
The head judge congratulated all the kids, saying they had done a great job strutting their stuff and with confidence.
He also paid homage to the great support offered by the crowds throughout the kapa haka performances.
Ashbrook School kapa haka performs their waiata at the Delamare Cup competition on Saturday at the Opotiki College hall. D6015-25