Preserving Culture, Shaping Destiny: A Memorable First Polyfest

Engā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā iwi taketake kei waenganui i a tātou, tēnā koutou katoa. Nei rā te reo ō mihi, te reo ō aroha e pōwhiri atu ana ki a koutou katoa.

This year celebrates forty-eight years of the ASB Polyfest and the overarching theme was ‘Mana Motuhake – Creating one’s own destiny’.

Our Kapa Haka group were new to this regional competition and indeed created destiny. They competed in Division 3 against fourteen other secondary schools on the well-established Māori stage. Competition for a new school was fierce. Our students were fearless in their pursuit of excellence and made us and their tūpuna (ancestors) very proud.

In pursuing excellence, our Kapa Haka group placed in both aggregate and non-aggregate items in Division 3.

We gratefully received:

3rd place certificate for Haka – Traditional War Dance category for our school haka ‘Te Haka o Hāto Kēneti’ written by Rawiri Martin and Iosua Hotere-Sosopo, a past student of the College.

2nd place certificate for Kākahu tāne – Boys Uniform category for our uniform designed specifically for Saint Kentigern.

2nd place certificate for Waiata tira – Choral Item category. Our item included the bagpipes, a first ever for the Kapa Haka stage.

And finally, we received:

1st place taonga for Manukura Tāne – Male Leader category, awarded to Rawiri Martin.

Ehara te toa i te toa takitahi. Engari te toa i te toa takitini. Success is attributed to the many who contributed.