Porirua came alive with powerful performances on Monday, 16 June, as Te Rauparaha Arena hosted Te Whakataetae Kapa Haka Tuarua o te Whanganui-a-Tara ki Ōtaki, the regional Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Competition.
The event ran from 8:45 am to 7:30 pm and featured talented students from secondary schools across the Wellington region. With passionate performances of haka, waiata, and pōwhiri, the day was a vibrant celebration of te ao Māori and student excellence in cultural expression.
The competition offered a platform for rangatahi to express their identity, connect with tikanga Māori, and strengthen school and community ties. The arena was filled with proud whānau, supporters, and cultural leaders who cheered on the performers.
Organisers praised the students’ dedication and the uplifting atmosphere throughout the day, highlighting the role such events play in preserving Māori traditions and inspiring future generations.
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[Te Reo Irirangi O Te Upoko O Te Ika has been serving the Wellington community for over 40 years being the first reo irirangi Māori created in 1983. Our mission is to strengthen, promote and preserve te reo Māori me ōna tikanga through the power of radio. We provide local, national and international current affairs and news relevant to te iwi Māori and a platform for community groups to promote their events in the community and for local artists to showcase their music through a te ao Māori lens.]
