Te Ahurea Tino Rangatiratanga is an annual secondary school kapa haka competition that Te Tai o Pakuranga has been privileged to participate in. Over the past ten weeks of preparation, our rōpū has not only sharpened our performance skills but has also learned valuable lessons about teamwork and resilience. Throughout this journey, the bonds formed between teammates have deepened, allowing us to support one another through both the triumphs and the challenges we faced along the way. Each practice brought us closer together, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. Most importantly, we learned the significance of standing proud on that big stage, representing our kura with integrity and passion.
The experience has instilled in us a deep sense of pride in our culture and heritage, reminding us of the values that kapa haka embodies—unity, respect, and perseverance. As we looked forward to the competition, we carried these lessons in our hearts, ready to showcase our dedication and love for our form on the big stage.
On behalf of Te Tai o Pakuranga we would like to give a massive thanks to our tutors Matua Mauri, Whaea Kiriana, Matua Michael, and Matua Hakopa for putting their blood, sweat, and tears into this campaign and for never losing sight of the real reason we joined Ahurea in the first place. You are an inspiration to us all and I am sure that everything you have taught us will definitely be adapted into our everyday lives.
A massive thank you to all the kaiako who took the time out of their day to take care of us. Your patience and undying love never went unnoticed, even when we weren’t on our best behaviour. To the admin team behind the scenes, without you booking our noho marae, organising our fundraisers, and showing your unconditional support none of this would’ve been possible. To the chefs, every single meal you made for us was made with pure aroha, and not many words can describe how grateful we are for you. Thank you to anyone I missed who played a massive role in making this campaign come to life, your love and support mean everything to us.
Ingrid Ioka, Kaitātaki Wahine
