Te hui Ahurei o ngā kura o Te Tai Poutini – Kapa haka festival 2023

After a last minute decision our Kapa haka roopū competed at the annual West Coast Kapa Haka competition, Te hui Ahurei o ngā kura o Te Tai Poutini.

A last minute decision saw a 5 students reform the Westland High School kapa haka roopū to compete at the annual West Coast competition. With only 2 days to form a performing bracket and practice as a group, the team pulled together to have two practices before heading off to the inaugural event. 

The group were nervous, given our school's previous years successes, they felt some pressure to live up to that. We were proud that they were brave enough to give it a go, and they rose to the occasion with a stellar performance, that had heartfelt whānau ties to loved ones who had recently passed away. 

They came away with placings in all 10 competitive categories. We are so proud of their performance and their achievement.

Non-Aggregate Secondary Schools section

• 3rd in Kaitataki Wahine
• 1st equal in Kaitataki Tane
• 2nd in Kākahu

Aggregate Secondary Schools section

• 1st equal in Waiata Tira
• 1st in Whakaeke
• 1st in Waiata-ā-ringa
• 1st equal in Poi
• 1st in Haka
• 1st equal in Whakawātea
• 1st in Secondary School Overall Winner

Thank you to everyone who supported the team to get to the stage that day, from their tutors and kaiako, to transport and to the whānau support. They wouldn't have been able to achieve what they did without you. Also thank you to Reefton Area School for hosting such a prestigious event and a big mihi to all the other school teams who competed and participated on the day. It is incredibly brave to get up and perform in front of strangers but essentially it is everyone who makes the event as successful as it is each year.