Top four placing for King’s at ASB Polyfest 2017

Placing in the top four also means the team has once again qualified for the National Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Competition in Palmerston North next year.

This iconic annual event celebrates the pride and passion of Māori and Pacific Island communities through song, dance, speech and art, and aims to help students express their heritage and develop their creativity, leadership and teamwork skills.

King’s competed in Division One of the People’s Choice Awards Competition. Proudly supported by a strong turnout from the King’s community, the King’s Kapa Haka team also achieved the following placings:

• 1^st= Kakahu (Traditional uniform )
• 1^st: Ngakau nui ki te kaupapa (Overall conduct: the school which showed respect, kindness, patience and humility both on and off the performing stage).
• 2^nd: Mau Rakau (Weaponry)
• 3^rd: Waiata-a-ringa (Action song)

Students from across Auckland competed on five stages and performed traditional items from cultures including Cook Islands, Māori, Niue, Samoan and Tongan. There was also a Diversity stage featuring performances from a range of cultural groups including Fijian, Tokelau, Chinese, Korean and Indian.

Lincoln Savage and Rihari Wilson, Teachers in Charge of Kapa Haka at King’s says he and the team are particularly proud to be the first recipients of the Ngakau nui ki te kaupapa taonga/trophy.

“A key part of kapa haka is showing respect, kindness, patience and humility and I am honoured to be working with a team that embodies this.”

Savage also acknowledged the team’s Kapa Haka leader Lukan Paitai-Tuiatua whose performance deserved a special mention.

“Like many of our previous Kapa Haka leaders, Lukan was fantastic before, during and after our performance. He has been a great leader for our group in the lead up as well. He placed a well-respected fourth.”

“A huge thanks to all staff and students who came to support our boys at the competition and a special thanks to all staff who gave their support in the lead up to the big day, great or small. Your efforts helped in our group’s success.”