16/09/2026
REPOSTED due to an overload of viewers x Ka nui te mihi e te iwi x
Blessed with the very best whaanau tautoko. ❤️ From our incredible weavers who completed our taatua and maro in less than four days, to every parent, nanny, koro, aunty, uncle, cousin, sponsor & fundraisers, driver, kai provider, and supporter who stood behind our tamariki, this is for you all.
What began as a vision from Whaea Jah, to bring together our tamariki from three kura, St Mary's, Otorohanga South School, and Otorohanga Primary School and reconnect them to their culture, identity, language, and history through kapa haka.
Because kapa haka is the vehicle to so much more.
With just 1.5 hours of practice a week, three full school holiday waananga from 9am–3pm, and four Sunday practices from 9am–3pm, these tamariki learned and performed an entire bracket in less than 80 hours together. Everything else came from their own commitment, determination, and practice at home.
Now we have tamariki who are completely hooked on kapa haka. Homes throughout Otorohanga are being flooded with haka, waiata, poi, and YouTube videos as our tamariki watch every kapa they can find. That is what this kaupapa is truly about.
The overwhelming support and positive feedback from people outside our own whaanau, from our wider iwi, and from the community filled our hearts. Hearing Te Ariki Te Rangimaheu, acknowledge our tamariki is an honour that no trophy can replace. To have the hearts of our people is a victory in itself.
A special mihi to our cuzzy, brother, uncle and paapaa, Leon Hemara, for capturing these priceless and timeless moments for our tamariki and whaanau. Your contribution will be treasured for generations to come.
To Matua Sean and Whaea Moana Hamana, a labour of love, volunteered hours, growlings and praises, blessed to have you both and grateful we and the whaanau were able to shower you both with our aroha and appreciation last night. A-Team tings!
To our tuupuna and whaanau of Matakore, Ngutu, Parewaeono, Hinewai and Urunumia, this kaupapa belongs to all of us. These are your mokopuna, your descendants, standing proudly in the footprints of those who came before them.
E poho kereruu ana maatou kei ngaa Puukeikura iti rangatira o Otorohanga.
Naa maatou iti nei, Whaea Jahdine, Matua Sean, Whaea Moana and Whaea Kimai.
