Te Rerearangi Kapahaka

After four months of kapahaka practises held on Friday nights at the Spot, and one month of cancellations due to Covid restrictions, Te Rerearangi Kapahaka finally reached their end goal to put Te Reo Ma¯ori into action by learning a kapahaka programme and performing it on stage by participating at the Nga¯ti Kahungunu Ahurei in Heretaunga.

This kaupapa is to develop Ngàti Kahungunu iwi youth, kaihaka, composers of waiata and kapahaka tutors/ kaiako. On Saturday 3rd Sept 2022, Te Rerearangi Kapahaka Roopu and our three kaumàtua/kuia nanny Frances, nanny Paremo and whaea Juliette happily gathered at 5:00am to meet their transport at the (LDS) Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. Caterer, Eli, delivered freshly-packed morning tea and lunches for everyone; water bottles were also given out. We then boarded our waka, a Tranzit coach. Kai tataki Tane Te Whakapono Waikare uplifted us all with inspiring words of wisdom, and a morning karakia in te reo Màori clearing our pathway, we left Masterton enroute to Heretaunga to attend the Ngàti Kahungunu Ahurei Te Kahu O Te Amorangi event.

It's so awesome to travel as a roopu on a comfortable coach. The roopu expressed their appreciation throughout the journey, many conversations were had about the performance, some choosing to get in those last actions poi practise, moteatea, waiata, or just relaxing snoozing. We stopped for a short break in Dannevirke then called into Te Hauke LDS Church to visit whànau at the urupa, whaea Myrtle Ratapu. Jimbo gave a beautiful mihi for his mum and karakia. Everyone sang the waiata, Ko Wairarapa Tenei. Other whànau were also visited that morning. The roopu got changed into their performance costumes piu piu, maro, rapaki, kakahu. Enroute to Toi Toi Heretaunga Opera house, we all gave each other words of encouragement – a good “pep talk”. It was a very exciting time for the youth of the Wairarapa to have this experience, to engage with a Whakangahau Kapahaka roopu performing on stage at a “real opera theatre”. Such a great Màori cultural atmosphere to be in. We could clearly hear the audience clapping. The MC was hilarious. For a few kaihaka it was their first time performing on stage at an Ahurei. I think we were all a bit anxious, some nervous waiting in the wings for the curtains to open, as we knew that the TV cameras would be recording our performance live across the motu. Everyone knows there’s nowhere to hide on stage.

Finally, Te Rerearangi is announced. The MC reads out the roopu profile and finally thanks and acknowledgements of our funding trust names/sponsor was announced. Composers, kaihaka, kaumàtua/kuia, and supporters, we walk on to the stage, everyone smiling and happy and we were so proud to represent Ngàti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa region. We all performed to the best of our abilities and sung our hearts out. After the performance, we congratulated the roopu, especially the youth, for their focus and commitment and first timers on stage. The comments were of satisfaction, “that was so cool”, “I lost my voice”, “great achievement”, “add that to my bucket list”. After our performance we had group photos taken on stage which was so awesome. We were able to sit and watch and appreciate other kapahaka roopu performances and have lunch. We were in kapahaka heaven. We then returned home to Masterton.

As the Tutor Kaiako of Te Rerearangi Kapahaka, and on behalf of the roopu, I would like to sincerely thank and acknowledge Wairarapa Moana Trust for its generous funding provision that we used to purchase rapaki and maro for our kaihaka and one takamine guitar and hard cover guitar case, thus allowing us to achieve our goal and to participate and represent Ngàti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa region at the Ahurei.

Ngà Mihi Nui Keepa and Rosina Smith