Students soak in culture and kapahaka

 

Eleven senior kapahaka students from Rodney College did a 1000km hikoi to experience the biennial Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival in Hagley Park, Christchurch.

Held in the South Island for the first time in 29 years, the event saw around 30,000 visitors to the garden city.

Hosted by the iwi of Ngai Tahu and always a huge success, the festival is a competition in the disciplines of haka, poi, moteatea and more, performed by 45 of the best senior groups from different regions throughout Aotearoa and Australia.

Rodney were also recipients of some of the 10,000 rain coats handed out to enable them to experience Maori culture at its supreme best in rain or shine

First-timers to the festival, the Rodney group woke at 4.45am on the last day to line up at the gates first to ensure a good spot centre stage to watch the finalists perform – a prime position to feel the spiritual delivery of waiata (song) and dance.

Students said the trip was an invaluable experience giving an insight into the world of kapahaka, performance and Maori culture.

Te Whanau a Apanui from the Mataatua region were crowned champions.

Work has already began in the Hawkes Bay as Ngati Kahungunu prepare to host Te Matatini in 2017.