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Te Kaipara kapa haka group will participate in the national Secondary Kapa Haka Competition in Mt Maunganui, from June 29 to July 3.
The combined team brings together students from Otamatea High School, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāringaomatariki, Rodney College and Kaipara College.
This will be their debut at the week-long competition, which is held biennially.
The group includes 40 students, many of whom have had very little previous kapa haka experience beyond competing at the Tai Tokerau Festival in Kaitaia last term.
Rodney’s Year 10 dean Wiremu Ngatipa says the initiative goes beyond performance and focuses on identity, connection and keeping stories, traditions and culture alive through young people.
“More than 40 schools will compete, so we are realistic about our chances of winning, but we are there for the experience and consider ourselves fortunate to have the opportunity to take part and be part of this environment,” he says.
The competition will be held at Mercury Baypark.
