July 10, 2016
Whangarei Mai Tawhiti hula hoop to top
Whangarei’s dynamic dozen are looking unbeatable on the small stage.
Whangarei-Mai-Tawhiti were crowned champions for the fifth year running at the Kapa Haka Super 12s held at the Cloud in Auckland yesterday.
They took away the top prize of $12,000 with a performance that included hula-hoop piupiu, white helium balloon poi, and kitchen brooms used as taiaha.
The closest competition came from secondary school teams, who for the first time were allowed to take on the adults.
Te Wharekura o Mangere came second, followed closely by Kahurangi ki Uta from Papakura High School
Alf Filipaina , the chair of Auckland Council’s arts committee says the Te Wananga o Aotearoa Kapa Haka Super 12s is always one of the main highlights of the city’s Matariki Festival, and the mix of adult and youth roopu brought something special.
He says teams displayed an impressive level of talent, enthusiasm and energy and were able to showcase traditional art of kapa haka and Maori culture in a fresh, creative and innovative way.
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