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Silverdale School’s hall was packed with spectators for this year’s Tu Maia festival on Friday September 13, where 14 groups performed kapa haka.
The line-up included 11 schools, two kindergartens, and the festival’s opener, the Tiheru Taiaha group from community marae Te Herenga Waka o Ōrewa.
Hundreds of performers showcased traditional waiata, as well as modern songs sung in Te Reo.
Every haka performed was met with keen rebuttals from the crowd of students, to the point where the MC, Maatua Hiramana-Rua from Ōrewa College, had to stop them so there was time to finish the festival.
Whaea Leanne Wade, who teaches all things Māori throughout Coast schools, helped create, and featured in, some of the performances.
The festival was beautiful to watch, she says. “The best part is seeing the singleness of everyone performing together.”
The non-competitive festival has been running for six years, with a different host school each time.
The honour was handed to Ōrewa North Primary for next year.
