Tuesday, November 14, 2017
THE senior kapa haka group from Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Waioweka taken the morning of the pohiri in to Te Mana o Kuratahi in Gisborne at the primary schools’ nationals where, for the second time in a row, the kura ended up placing second overall. Photo supplied
Ross McCullough
JUST as they had in 2015, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Waioweka have returned from this year’s primary schools kapa haka nationals in Gisborne with a second overall placing.
One of the group’s tutors CJ Tai said it had been the best possible way to honour top national kapa haka tutor Nga Po Wehi, who originally hailed from Waioweka and is now buried in Gisborne.
Together, Mr Wehi and his wife established the Maori culture group Te Waka Huia in Auckland, a group that has amassed an impressive record at the national adult kapa haka competition, placing either first or second ever since it was started.
Mr Tai said he and the other four tutors had been impressed with the group’s top performance in Gisborne.
“And after that was just a bonus,” he said referring to the reception the children received when returning home last Friday – the whole hapu putting on a pohiri at Waioweka Marae to welcome them home.
The kids were chuffed with their reception from the many who had gathered, and they were also excited to see the whanau, Mr Tai said.
“We are extremely happy with the result and the kids are happy as well. We hope to have done our hapu and iwi proud,” he said.
Concentration will now turn to next year’s Opotiki primary schools’ kapa haka competition, the Delamere Cup, where the group will attempt to qualify again for the next nationals to be held in the Waikato region.