This year our kapa haka group combined with Hastings Boys’ High School to reform Te Rōpū Manu Huia. Under the skilled guidance of tutors Renata Nepe and Te-Rina Paringatai the group has flourished. From the start the group had ambitious goals and were committed to extensive training sessions including through the holidays.They also had two noho marae stays in preparation for the competition.
The Board funded new costumes for the girls which were put together by a group of dedicated staff lead by Niwa Brightwell and Kirsty Taylor. These beautiful new outfits meant that the group looked stunning.
The Hawke’s Bay Secondary School kapa haka competition - Te Haaro O Te Kaahu 2019 - was held on 31 May. The results for Te Rōpū Manu Huia were: 3rd in Waiata Tira (choral song), 2nd Kaitataki Tāne (lead boy), 2nd Kaitatane Wahine (lead girl), 2nd Whakaeke (entrance song), 2nd Mōteatea (traditional chant), 3rd Haka, 2nd Whakawātea (exit song), and 2nd Overall. This means that the group has qualified for Nationals in Auckland in 2020.
We are very proud of this group of talented students who continue to impress us on and off the stage. They have shown us, and themselves, that when you have clear goals, get skilled help and you work hard, you can achieve. All of this wouldn’t have been possible without whānau support, so a big thank you to all the parents and friends that have supported the group. We look forward to seeing the exciting thing they can achieve in the future.
