Wairua Pūhou, Polyfest Performance

By Neil Brew | Posted: Friday September 5, 2025

This year has been a huge journey for Wairua Pūhou.

We kicked things off at Te Hautoka, the Ōtākou/Murihiku Secondary Schools Kapa Haka competition, and finished on a high at the 2025 Otago Polyfest. With strict 15-minute time limits, we had to choose carefully. To mark Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, our group brought back the classic waiata Whakarongo by Ngoi Pewhairangi – a perfect fit for the kaupapa and the clock.

The boys and girls put in the hard yards – every week, including weekends – and it all paid off. On the day, everyone was on time, prepped, and ready. Once on stage, the rōpū smashed out a powerful whakaeke (He Hipi Whainoa), poi and waiata, a fierce haka written by our own Taina Te Ngahue, and wrapped it up with Whakarongo. One of our tāne, Marley, invited the audience to join in – an unforgettable moment! The haka tautoko from kura such as Balmacewen and ex-Wairua Pūhou members was the icing on the cake.

This year’s theme can be summed up by the whakataukī:

“Mā te pā te tamaiti e whakatipu – It takes a village to raise a child.”

That has been our journey. Without our village of dedicated whānau, teachers, and tutors, none of this would have been possible.

A big mihi to our tutors Rinaria Hepi and Taina Te Ngahue; our crew – Matua Mac Te Ngahue, Whaea Michelle Matthews, Whaea Kirsten Parkinson, and Whaea Joe Hunter – plus their whānau and past tuakana who helped us prepare. The endless hours, guidance, and aroha made all the difference.

A special mention goes to Rosie Matthews, Mihi Parkinson, and Tia Te Ngahue, who have been a big part of our group even though they are not at secondary school just yet.

Of course, a shout-out to our leaders: Jade Wilson and Ella Moses (Kaitātaki Wāhine), and Crew Wilson, Rāhui Valli, and Marley Leevey (Kaitātaki Tāne), for your leadership and inspiration with our performance last night.

Finally, a mihi to all our committed students who are part of this whānau – your hard work, dedication, and pride made it all happen, and we are very proud.

Kia kaha te reo Māori.

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