[In Pictures] Our people at 'Te Mana Kuratahi' Primary School Kapa Haka Competition

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From Kawakawa to Otautahi, 45 primary schools battled it out for top honours during Te Mana Kuratahi(external link) a 4-day kapa haka competition which kicked off on October 30th. 

While you might know about Te Matatini(external link), our nation's biennial kapa haka festival and the pinnacle event for Māori performing arts, you may not be aware of the equivalent competitions that exist for primary and secondary schools. Te Mana Kuratahi is the national primary schools kapa haka competition, and this year was hosted by Te Tauihu o te Waka a Māui, in Whakatū (Nelson).

You’d be mistaken to think that because it’s a primary school competition, that these performances would take your breath away any less than the main stage of Te Matatini. Each team is expected to perform a variety of kapa haka items for 25 minutes and are assessed by no less than 26 judges.

Thousands of hours learning kupu (words), actions, formations, melodies and mastering traditional Māori weaponry skills all comes down to one performance for hundreds of urban and rural  tamariki going after the ultimate title of Toa Whakaihuwaka, the winners of Te Mana Kuratahi 2023. - Te Matatini

[Photo Credit: Te_Matatini Instagram]

Similar to Te Matatini, our people had a stall at the festival to engage the attendees on the importance of creating escape plans as well as connecting with them on fire safety knowledge and awareness. 

Big mihi to the local crews/staff who came out and supported – Te Tau Ihu Volunteers, Wakefield, Blue/Red watch, the CRR team, Te Tau Ihu managers, Pou Takawaenga and to all who worked behind the scenes to ensure safety and success of the event. Ka nui te mihi ki a koutou e aku Rangatira - Paki Johnson, Poutakawaenga Māori, Māori Liason Officer, Te Ihu.

After months of practice Te Kapa Puāwai from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hoani Waititi Marae were crowned the ultimate title of Toa Whakaihuwaka.The team are from Auckland and were one of five to represent the region at the competition. You can catch their breathtaking performance here.(external link) 

This was the first time Nelson has hosted Te Mana Kuratahi and it's a taste of things to come as the region will also host the secondary schools competition in 2024.