Tākina Puanga, mānawatia a Matariki, mānawatia te huinga whetū!
Congratulations to Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Puku o te Ika a Māui on winning this year’s national secondary schools kapa haka competition Te Huinga Whetū, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says.
“It was great to hear the stage rumbling with the sound of our rangatahi, our young leaders, and of all those behind the scenes supporting the groups.”
Mr Potaka participated in the award ceremony for this year’s Te Huinga Whetū Kapa Haka Kura Tuarua o Aotearoa competition in Nelson on 28 June.
Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Puku o te Ika a Māui was the overall winner, followed by Ngā Puna o Waiōrea and Te Kapa Haka o te Wharekura o Hoani Waititi Marae.
“The sheer talent and commitment from all the finalists was a beautiful testament to those of days gone by, people like Sir Āpirana Ngata and Te Puea Hērangi.
“My thanks to all those who helped make this a competition for everyone to enjoy including Arihia Stirling, and the Chairman of Te Matatini, Sir Selwyn Parata.
“Thank you for helping to ensure the future of kapa haka – and indeed the growing future of Te Matatini – stands proud on the stage.”
Ngā mihi nui ki Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Puku o te Ika a Māui
Tākina Puanga, mānawatia a Matariki, mānawatia te huinga whetū!
“Ka mihi kāmehameha ki Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Puku o te Ika a Māui i tōna whiwhinga i te Toa Whakaihuwaka o Te Huinga Whetū, te huihuinga kapa haka mō ngā kura tuarua o te motu,” hei tā Minita Tama Potaka.
Rū ana te atamira i te reo kahika, i te reo ngārahu, me te katakata mai i ngā hāpai ō i tautoko atu i ngā rōpū katoa i rere atu ai ki Whakatū, ki te whakapūmau i tō tātou tuakiritanga.
“E rere ana te tai o mihi matakoakoa ki ngā rōpū katoa i eke ki ngā kōwhiringa matua me te whakamīharo hoki i te kounga, te hihiri hoki o ngā mahi kapa. He taonga hoki te reo, he taonga hoki te ahurea,” e ai ki te Minita.
Kei Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Puku o te Ika a Māui te wikitoria, kātahi ka whai mai a Ngā Puna o Waiōrea me Te Kapa Haka o Te Wharekura o Hoani Waititi Marae. Heoi anō, ka rawe hoki te whakatairanga i ngā kapa haka katoa e whakapuāwai ana i ngā moemoeā a te kāhui rere pērā i a Tā Āpirana Ngata me Te Puea Hērangi.
Me mihi ka tika ki te kaiwhakahaere matua, ki a Arihia Stirling, me tō tātou toihau mō Te Matatini, a Tā Herewini Parata, e ārahi ana i tēnei tūmomo mahi a te Māori.
“E poho kererū ana au i te hunga kua whakangungua e te papa rēhia. Kua rangatira te mahi kapa haka i te hunga rangatahi!”