He Pouwhenua, He Puapua - National Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Competition 2018

By Keegan Henman | Posted: Thursday July 26, 2018

Attracting audiences of over 6,000 throughout the day, and many more via live-stream broadcast.

This Biennial event exemplifies excellence in Maori Performing Arts, Maori Language and Customs. The combined Otago Boys' and Otago Girls' Kapa Haka group Te Wairua Puhou took the nationals stage for the first time in both schools history. 

Not only did they take the stage for the first time, the group was led entirely by the senior students with the help of Matua Mac Te Ngahue. Held in Palmerston North, Wairua Puhou were lucky enough to stay at beautiful Rangitane Marae, arriving three days prior to the event. 

Unfortunately not receiving the results they hoped for, the friendships, the laughs and the tears made up for it. Te Wairua Puhou hope to learn from this humbling experience and hope to smash the regional stage next year.