Page 108 - NHS Beyond the Classroom

National Secondary Schools 2008

Kapa Haka Competition, Wellington

Rear: Rahuri Karu, Kadyn Tahapeehi, Joseph Rayner, Jordan Cotter, Te Motu Gray, Karni Henry, Norman King.
Row 4: Aubrey Fretwell, Raana Dennis, Iwa Te Koi, Kakenga Clark, Dale Verstappen, Jordan Tukere, George King,
Jade Newport, Kingsley Smith-Grey.
Row 3: Matua Daniel Waitai, Whaea Tiria Te Kurapa, Vaughan Tengu (Guitarist), Whaea Rangimarie Morgan,
Whaea Hariru Roa, Matua Noel Reid (with Poihakena).
Row 2: Amyleigh Hopa, Lisa McGrath, Dakota Moeke, Hoki Mae Nepia, Te Atamira Roa, Christalene Manahi,
Cruze Nahu-Nikau, Christine Morehu, J J Cootes, Rikki-Lee Rayner.
Front: Haloma Bluegum-Perese, Manaake Whare, Te Uranga Paki, Anne Roa, Atawhai Gray, Reremoana Stephens,
Ruki Simon, Mere-Tu-Ahiahi Tarawhiti, Hinemaia Mataira, Rimutere Wharakura, Stevie Jo Brown.
Reserve: Georgia Deacon. Photographer: Whakawhiti Simon.
After three long and hard months of practice; and playing table tennis, Nintendo Wii and doing
cutting into Thursdays and sometimes Tuesday skits just to sink everything in and for us as
lunchtimes, cutting into our Term 1 holidays and performers to have a little think about what we
filling up our weekends with wananga, out 9-hour need to do and “Take it eeeeezy!”
trip to Wellington really paid off! With our four roopu - “S.U.P.E.R.”, “Knock
Coming in the top 10 in New Zealand for You Out”, “We Are The Champions” and “Spirit
Secondary Schools as first-time performers was Fingers” kits was a very memorable night. From
very breath-taking and exciting for us, our tutors the “Spirit Fingers” interpretation of Michael
and our whole whanau. It was a huge surprise for Jackson’s “Thriller” to ‘Knock You Outs’ boys
all of us - but all-in-all well deserved. turned ladies (Aubrey, Jade and Jordan Tukere)
From practicing up to ridiculous hours at emsemble!
night, to Papahoronuku and press-ups, we realized Waking up early on the Monday morning and
how hard it was to fit what should be six months of heading to the Marae was heart-pounding; for us -
preparation into three! step closer to getting on that stage.
Apart from all the practicing and drilling, one We packed our bags in the bus and headed to
of our final wananga was primarily focused on the Mahinarangi for Karakia with Koro Motu and
‘feeling’ side of things. some other Kuia and kaumatua before we left.
We spent a Saturday night just ‘chilling out’ Tears, hugs and kisses from all our whanau as we