KAPA HAKA
He Waka Kōtuia has had a focus on providing kapa haka, Māori performing arts, for rakatahi from King’s and Queen’s High school since 2005. He Waka Kōtuia kapa haka is made up of year 9-13 students who come from a range of different backgrounds. We are committed to sharing our knowledge of te reo Māori and tikaka Māori, to telling the stories of local iwi and using the distinct dialect of this area. We are also committed to supporting rakatahi to be disciplined, to have integrity and set high standards for themselves in everything they do.
WAEWAE KAI PAKIAKA
Waewae Kai Pakiaka is a weekly programme that supports tamariki aged 5 - 13 and whānau from across our community to develop confidence, coordination and strength in movement while also enhancing Māori identity and strengthening positive relationships between tuakana/taina. The programme operates one day per week during the school term, from 3.30pm - 5.00pm. The programme is supervised by He Waka Kōtuia Pou (Tutors/Trustees), Komene Cassidy and Cherie Ford and is facilitated by a group of Kaikōkiri, our tuākana from our current High School.
NGĀ MANU KŌRERO
He Waka Kōtuia have competed in both the Regional and National Ngā Manu Kōrero competition, representing either King's High School, Queen's High School, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ōtepoti and Te Kura Kāika o He Waka Kōtuia. We have had a consistent commitment to developing speakers for both the Regional and National Ngā Manu Kōrero competitions. In 2023, the national NMK competition was hosted here in Ōtepoti, Te Waipounamu (Southland Distrcit).
Punakauariki
Punakauariki is a a series of mahika kai wānaka, engaging whānau with local mahika kai, cultural and environmental experts; providing development opportunities for rakatahi and their whānau to extend skills and knowledge of the taiao (Natural Environment), focus on greater environmental awareness that fosters kaitiakitaka – taking responsibility as guardians of our resources, while ensuring sustainability and caring for our environment. The project, which will be ongoing, examines the restoration of the wetlands and natural resources. Kaupapa will include: the lifecycle, whakapapa and origin stories of tuna and associated waiata tawhito, karakia and tikaka for harvesting tuna; mātauraka Māori – how the phases of the moon affect tuna and other species; constructing hīnaki and experimenting with other traditional methods of catching tuna; monitoring water quality, the impact of climate change and dairy farming. Potential to undertake research around food properties and health benefits of eating tuna and the sustainable development of a ‘new product’ that can be marketed to provide economic and hauora benefits for whānau.
KURA REO RAKATAHI
A well known component of the work here at He Waka Kōtuia is our commitment to growing te reo Māori in this region. In partnership with (KMK) Kotahi Mano Kāika, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu - we have facilitated a number of Kura Reo with a focus on all rakatahi in our takiwā. Our Kura Reo are a mixture of structured learning in te reo Māori and physical hands on learning such as; waka ama/ hourua, mau rākau, kī-o-Rahi, native trees, fresh water ecosystems, concepts related to the land and sea and wāhi tīpuna (ancestal sites).
Kī-o-Rahi
Through attaining the physical skills of Kī-o-Rahi comes with the rich history of which this sport derives is a key element in our way of learning. It is a way of practicing our ancestral traditions/knowledge as well as bringing all together to have fun! We host an annual 'Have a Go Day' where schools throughout our district are all welcome to join, encouraged to have a go! Throughout the summer we host weekly Secondary and Intermediate School competitions for more engagement!
MĀORI MOVEMENT
Māori Movement runs between 1-2pm on Sunday afternoons in the Queen’s High School Gym during kapa haka season. We regularly have 65-70 young people participating in this. This is a high impact session where young people get to learn Māori movement, kupu and coordination while building fitness, camaraderie and companionship having to work together.
