He waka kōtuia e kore e wāwāhi
A waka, correctly bound, will never break apart
He Waka Kōtuia has had a focus on providing kapa haka for rakatahi since 2005. Since 2009 He Waka Kōtuia kapa haka has focused primarily on year 9-13 students from King's and Queen's High Schools. We are committed to supporting our rakatahi to be disciplined, to have integrity and set high standards for themselves in everything they do. We are committed to sharing our knowledge of te reo and tikaka Māori, to telling the stories of local iwi and using the distinct dialect of this area. We have grown to include other programmes and are growing still although Kapa Haka, Māori Performing Arts, remains the base from which everything else grows.
Te Takere
The Hull of the Waka
This is where you start
If you are new to the group, or haven’t performed with us at Polyfest - Learn the songs and haka that make up our performances and are used in traditional ceremonies.
Whāinga: Learn the songs and haka, increase your performance ability, confidence and coordination in performance. Be invited to join Te Tira Tū – the Performance Group - Prepare for the Polyfest performance
Te Tira Tū
The Rauawa of the Waka
The Performance Group
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Attend all of our performances in the community including Polyfest.
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Anywhere from 8 - 68 performers depending on who is available and the size of the space.
Whāinga: Whakapakari tinana - Increase fitness, strengthen performance, develop a positive attitude and commitment - Be invited to Te Tira Tauwhāika - The competition group
Te Tira Tauwhāika
The Prow of the Waka
Competition Group
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Perfect and polish bracket
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Individual performance skills and fitness
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Limited to 40 performers
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Five to six travelling reserves.
Whāinga: Put on your absolute best performance as an individual and as a group. We have changed our focus from competing to be ranked, to putting on our absolute best performance!
Te Taurapa
The Bow of the Waka
Mana Whenua
We are guided by the cultural responsibilities of our local takata whenua, Kāi Te Pahi, Kāi Taoka, Kāi Te Ruahikihiki, and Kāti Huirapa ki Puketeraki. It is the values and principles through our connection with takata whenua, that creates the platform from which He Waka Kōtuia operates.
Ngā mātāpono o HWK
The Principals of HWK
Te Reo Māori: Ko te reo te mauri o te mana Māori The language is the core of our Māori culture and mana.
Rakatirataka: Iti noa, he pito mata. Every child is born with unrealised potential. Act with dignity and pride
Whanaukataka: He kaha uia te kaha. Foster a sense of self, community and family pride.
Manaakitaka: Nōku te korikori, ka kori mai hoki koe. Leading by example
He Manawa Tītī: Tō rika ki te hoe! Perseverance and resilience.
Te Kohi Pūtea
Fundraising
Performances: Performances make up the bulk of our fundraising, it is important that performers are available for these.
Catering: We cater for events and often need support from performers and their families. Where we can, we will pay individuals.