MATARIKI CELEBRATIONS 2010

Taonga Presentations:

14 June 2010- Papakura Marae

Papakura began their Matariki celebrations Monday 14 June with the Dawn Ceremony on Pukekiwiriki followed by a breakfast at Papakura Marae.  During this Papakura Maori Events Komiti and Kaitiaki acknowledge our top Male/Female Maori students for 2009. These students were nominated by both secondary schools, Rosehill College and Papakura High School. In previous years this ceremony was held on Waitangi Day by Papakura Marae.  Rosehill College Kapa Haka attended the breakfast with our two nominations -  Luke Ronaki and Te Rori Ngataki.  These two students had both won the "Te Oha Whakatutukitanga Mana Wahine Award (female) and the Toa Takitini Award (male) for 2009. They both received a pounamu taonga for their achievements.

Mau Raakau Wananga:

18-20 June 2010- Whare Moemoea, Rosehill College

The number of students participating was a resounding 45 in number.  Rosehill College and Papakura High School, with a small number from the community, were attracted to this year’s wananga.  The three day event was gruelling for some - so much they dropped out, but for the majority it was a lot of hard yakka.  It was brilliant to see students focused on what was being taught.  It is all about discipline, manaakitanga and self esteem.  Whakawhanaungatanga worked magic and building relationships between the two kura was great to see.  Seven students had attended the last two wananga in 2008 and 2009, six of these students achieved Level 1 Mau Raakau and one student is still to complete this.  The remaining students completed the Introduction to Mau Raakau and received a Participation Certificate.  We had awesome feedback from students and Whanau and we were rewarded with a very successful event.  Thank you to Pura and Timata (tutors) for preparing our rangatahi and to Creative NZ and The Papakura Maori Events Komiti for their support

Matariki Fashion Show:

9-10 July 2010- Hawkins Centre

This year Kapa Haka again performed for the third year in a row.  They opened the fashion show and performed later in the programme.  Our students were well behaved and were thanked for their input into the Fashion show.  I must say they looked lovely in their new travel uniform.  Thank you to Dot Mareroa (organiser) for requesting the roopu to perform and to Te Taumata for their support.

Acoustic Soul

16 July 2010- Hawkins Centre

Because the opening to the Fashion Show was well received, our tama were asked to open the Acoustic Soul Evening.  Maisie Rika was one of the main guests and, with a few nerves, our roopu did what they were asked and were complimented on by those who attended.  Thank you to Wiremu Hohaia (organiser) and The Papakura Maori Events Komiti for their support.

Matariki was very busy for the Kapa Haka but it was a pleasure also.  I would like to thank the students for giving up their holidays to support an awesome cause "Matariki".