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Whangaparāoa College and Orewa College were proudly represented at ASB Polyfest, with this year marking the 50th anniversary of the four-day celebration of Polynesian culture festival.
Hibiscus Tuakana is a combined Polynesian Cultural group of students from the two Coast colleges, and tutored mostly by former students and founder, Marina Vaha.
This is the third year that Hibiscus Tuakana has performed on the Diversity Stage. They were led by students Jess Washer (Whangaparāoa College) and Semi Tikoisuva (Orewa College).
Their Fijian set was a tribute to the Fijian community, but performed by students from a variety of cultures.
Whangaparāoa College’s Kapa Haka, Te Hau Mihi, performed on the Māori stage. They were led by students, Kyra-Lynn Barclay and Dastphen Snowden as Manukura Wahine and Manukura Tane, and tutored by deputy principal, Marara Schreurs and Head of Māori, Matua Josh Fox, who created their original set centered around this year’s theme, “Legacy – A treasure handed down: He oha nō tua, he taonga tuku iho.”
Acting Whangaparaoa principal Davina Dean said that through the months of dedicated rehearsals and inspiring performance, thee students exhibited mana, belonging and pride in te ao Māori and their community.
