Givealittle to aid Kapa Haka tamariki

by Ann Packer

Anyone who heard the stunning performance by Muritai School’s kapa haka group at this year’s Anzac commemorations will know what a spine-tingling experience it is.

When teacher Hilary Bevin (Ngāti Pākehā) first arrived at Muritai School to help out with the kapa haka group five years ago there were about 20 to 30 kids involved.

Now there are 110, and her role has grown. She leads an open-to-all-comers gathering at 8.30 till 9 am each Wednesday, followed by an hour-long rehearsal for the 110-strong performance rōpū.

The part-time teacher also takes syndicate groups, with a schoolwide reach over a year. And of course, every kapa haka group needs a guitar, and Whaea Hilary says it couldn’t happen without the support of guitarist teachers Carmen McDonald, Max McAlpine and Ruth Hooke, who now lives in Tauranga – all have been an integral part of the rōpū’s success.

The explosion in interest she puts down not just to opening up the age of entry – it used to be Year 6 and up, it’s now from Year 3 – but to the increasing interest within the school following the success of their own performers, and perhaps to the coverage of events such as Te Matatini on television.. https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/muritaischool-kapa-haka-performance-ropu

Problem is, the costumes which are a vital part of the presentation are expensive.

While some Home & School parents are helping out by constructing the simple black dresses that retail at $110 each, other elements such as the piupiu that go over the top, swishing about as the performers twirl, can only be sourced from particular makers.

So the school is setting up a Givealittle page for donations for the extra costumes that allow membership of the all- inclusive group to remain totally unrestricted.

Other items, such as stencils for the striking moko which decorate the children’s faces, have been bought with unexpected koha, such as Eastbourne Library’s gift following a performance there.

Whaea Hilary says the rōpū always enjoys giving back to the community, at Matariki and other celebrations, like the Anzac Day event.