April 11, 2019
Taitokerau schools celebrate kapa haka
Northland secondary schools are holding their 44th annual kapa haka festival.
Allister Gilbert, the assistant principal of Whangārei Boys High School which co-hosted the festival alongside Whangārei Girls High School, says 30 schools are involved in what is a celebration of Māori culture rather than a competition.
He says students get a huge amount from the festival.
"For some students this is their place to shine. Others will be on the sports field but kapa haka and whaikōrero are just as important. Just the mana and pride in who they are that they get from this carries on to other aspects in their life including academic life and is vitally important," Mr Gilbert says.
For some schools the kapa haka performances can be assessed for NCEA credits.
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