Page 97 - NHS Beyond the Classroom

1987 New Zealand children’s classic written by Powhiri took place. Amy had the priviledge of
Witi Ihimaera. The competition took place in early taking the new trophy called “Kotahi te Kohau o te
June where she was accompanied by two other Ngira” which was donated by Te Waka o Tainui.
speakers, Ashleigh Turner (Senior English) also After the Powhiri concluded we set off to
speaking on The Whale Rider, and Te Hua o te Kauwhata Marae in Fielding, where all the Tainui
Kawariki Thompson (Junior English) speaking on schools stayed.
“Taniwha are here to stay”. Do you agree? Wednesday 17th September
Amy’s prepared speech was to be 12 minutes Day One of the competition saw all of the
in length. She also had to do an impromptu speech contestants speak in the senior section. The
where she was given a topic only five minutes standard of competition was very high amongst the
beforehand, and speak on it for three minutes. This contestants.
winning title led us to the National Competition. Amy exceeded the standard as she spoke
She was now to represent Ngaruawahia High and confidently and beautifully on “Ma wai ra nga
the Waikato Rohe. marae e taurima” (Who will remain to look after
A couple of weeks after Amy’s big win, our marae). We are all very proud of Amy’s
Whaea Poppy and Tina Newport began fundraising efforts. She certainly upheld the mana of our kura.
for our group. The group was selected from all That night they held a big phat kanikani at
areas of our school, which included the Kapa Haka the arena for all of the schools involved. It was an
Group, Amy’s whanau and the Y9 and Y10 Maori awesome night with mean sounds with everyone
classes. shaking their booties.
To allow us to go we had to stick to a strict Thursday 18th September
criteria and obey all the rules, which were all Today was the day of junior speakers and
COMPULSORY!! Just to mention one of the rules, prizegiving. Before prizegiving commenced there
the group was to attend all waiata practices! was a Rangitahi Idol ehere our very own Hohepa
Monday 15th September Tukere (a.k.a. CHEEZ) wooed the crowd with the
The time finally came when it was time for boys of Rakaumangamanga. Their moves were
all of us to head off to Palmerston North. We met smooth and sleek.
at the school at 11:30pm to load up our bags. At Waikato Rohe took out the senior English
approximately midnight we were off to Taupiri for section. The representative was Makareta
Karakia with Te Wharakura o Rakaumangamanga. McGavock from Rakaumanga. After prizegiving
Then around 1am wet set out on our journey. we said our goodbyes and began the long trip
Tuesday 16th September home.
After all of the sleeping and snoring (Kio ora Kia Whaea Poppy, Matua Jones, Uncle Peter
Matua Jones mo to waiata mai kia matou I roto I to Symons (Bus Driver), Koro Rewi, Nana Reo, Nana
matou moe!) we arrived at Bulls, which was the Makehu, Whaea Maemae, Tina Newport and, last
town just outside Palmerston North. but not least, Amy’s whanau. Ngamihi nui kia
Fortunately we were able to go to the local koutau katoa I tae mai ki te tautoko I te Kaupapa.
Rugby League Club to get changed into our No.1s Nga mihi nui ki a koe Amy mo to eketanga
- our travelling uniform. We had a bit of a waiata ki nga taumata teitei ki roto I enei mahi. Ka tau ke!
practice and then off to Palmerston North. “Ko te manu kai I te miro nona te Ngahere.
We arrived at Arena Manawatu where the Ko te manu kai I te matauranga nona te Ao”.

In 2020 Amy Wharakura-Taewa was appointed Head of Finance for Tainui Group Holdings.
Amy (Tuurangawaewae Marae) first joined TGH in 2009 as a Graduate Accountant straight out of university.
Over the past 10 years she has worked for TGH and other organisations as she has steadily grown her skills and
expertise. She returned to TGH in 2017 as Finance Manager before being appointed Acting Head of Finance.