Raahui Pookeka Ahurei: Kapa haka a platform for Covid-19 recovery and wellness

23 9 2020

The Tainui Teachers Association announces a national secondary school kapa haka competition dedicated to lifting community well-being amidst the Covid-19 recovery. The competition day will be held on Saturday 10 October at the
prestigious Claudelands Arena, Hamilton.

“Kapa haka is a powerful tool that can be used to engage rangatahi Maaori and their whānau with education. This is the core purpose of our hui, to re-engage our students with their schooling following the hardship of Covid-19”, says Chair, Ora Kihi.

A variety of groups that qualified for the cancelled National Secondary schools Kapa Haka Competition were invited to participate. Six have accepted the invite and will ferociously fight for the title of secondary school kapa haka champions. Six senior kapa haka groups from the Tainui region will also be entertaining the 5000 people that are expected to attend. The Tainui Teachers Association have partnered with Go Māori to help invigorate Maaori business amidst economic uncertainty. Go Māori recently launched the Buy Māori Made Facebook Group during COVID-19, with a growing network of over 50,000 members. Raahui Pookeka Ahurei will provide a platform to further promote the Buy Maori Made kaupapa, and encourage people to purchase products and services from Maaori owned businesses. Go Māori founder, Michelle Paki says, “We hope the community will not only attend this event to support the empowering showcase of kapa haka, but for the economic recovery of Maaori business as well”.

Event Manager, Toti West, commends the students and schools that are participating. “Our secondary schools are leading the nation in terms of using competitive kapa haka as a recovery platform to promote well-being amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Without doubt it will be a great whānau day out with plenty of delectable kai, intriguing Maaori businesses from a range of sectors and entertainment from some of the best kapa haka talent in the country”. This talent includes familiar faces to their respective national finals Te Pou o Mangatāwhiri, Te Wharekura o Raakaumanga, Hoani Waititi and Te Maurea Whiritoi.

Stall holders enquiries to Tania David at kiaora@gomaori.com. All other enquiries to Toti West at twest@hbhs.school.nz.