A group of friends have started a new kapa haka for uri from Whanganui to the south and Ruapehu in the north to give a new reanga of Māori rangatahi a way to express their Māoritanga in their rohe.
Te Kuranui o Paerangi, are preparing to stand for the first time as a roopū in March at Te Kāhui Maunga regional kapa haka competition.
Kapa chair Elijah Pue from Ngāti Rangi and Ngāti Uenuku says the aim is to build a movement that fosters pride in their culture and identity, beyond just kapa haka, without being tied to a particular location.
“We’ve been quite intentional not to take that approach that traditionally other kapa have which is either, you know, be connected in some way to a particular marae, particular iwi, or a particular space, we want to grow Te Kuranui o Paerangi to not just be another group from Whanganui but actually being a group that represents Te Kāhui Maunga and everyone that calls this place home. I’m really intentional about that last bit because Te Kuranui o Paerangi isn’t just a Whanganui group and definitely isn’t just based in Whanganui city. We want to build a group that is based around wherever our members are, but within Te Kāhui Maunga of course and celebrating everything within Te Kāhui Maunga,” he says
Elijah Pue says audiences can expect their roopu to bring a unique cultural fusion to competitive kapa haka performance in their rohe.
