Kapa Haka National Competition

Week Two saw the HBHS and HGHS combined Kapa Haka team travel to Whangarei to compete in the annual national competition.  The competition is open to English, mixed and Maori medium schools and competition for a high placing is fierce.  Henare Moroiti (Year 9) explained what it was like to be involved in something this intensive:

What were the highlights for you as a first-time participant in Kapa Haka Nationals?

We came twenty-second out of forty-three, which is a strong showing for an English-medium school.  The hospitality of the people in Whangarei was good.  Our tutors, Whaea Barton and Matua West all came up to look after us.  We practiced every weekend for a number of weeks to get ready for the competitions, and got to know each other really well.  The set was thirty minutes long, so there was a lot to learn and remember. 

Kapa Haka is a good way to keep up with people - mates, cousins, people that you know from school.  I didn't know any of the girls from Girls' High before.  I will keep doing Kapa Haka next year, and study Maori.  I'm playing rugby as well, so it's good.