Te Arokura Kapa Haka

We are seeking funds for new kapa haka uniforms for our school kapa haka group. Our current kapa haka uniforms are old and worn and we no longer have enough.

We have over 50 students from more than a dozen cultures as members of Te Arokura Kapa Haka group.

They are a critical part of the local Wellington community. Whenever there is a celebration it is never a surprise to see them perform to help to acknowledge and give significance to an occasion. Whether a local community event such as the opening of the Te Aro fair, unveiling the pre-school mural or an international occasion such as the recent celebration 40 Years of New Zealand-China Diplomatic Relations.

The whole school feel a sense of pride and belonging on these occasions. The students who belong to kapa haka feel they are making a powerful contribution to the school community. For many of our Maori students, this is an area where they can feel connected, feel like an expert, feel they can really contribute and add value as well as show leadership. Participation is not restricted to our Maori students and their whanau – everyone is encouraged to get involved and some of our most enthusiastic members are the newest arrivals – not just to Te Aro School, but to the country. Refugees at Mangere learn to sing Tutira Mai and when they arrive in kapa haka and find they already know one of the waiata, they have an immediate feeling of success and inclusion – what a great start to your new life.

Raising funds for a school project is always a challenge but at Te Aro the wero is greater as we try and sustain our commitment to ethical fundraising. This is reflected in the school’s decision to not attempt to seek funds raised through gambling. It is difficult to sustain an ethical position when there is a risk that our students will miss out but we trust that the support for nga toi is there in the wider community.