Waka Taua 2011

A mix of cultures, Tamaki College Waka Taua students were privileged to be a part of the grand Rugby World Cup opening at the Queens Warf Viaduct in Auckland on Friday September 9th 2011. Together with the Kura Kaupapa Maori o Puau TeMoananui - A – Kiwa kaihoe (rowers), our students under went a rigorous regime of training to prepare them for this special event. Endless hours of drills, chants, commands, practice on the water at Panmure warf and haka meant that students had to be physically and mentally focused. Expert guidance and support was given from senior kaihautu (leaders) and papa Niki Tauhara who brought together the 7 Waka Taua and Waka Tete from Nga Puhi. These prestigious Waka Taua included the sacred Ngatokimatawhaorua well known to all Iwi and Hapu throughout Aotearoa. After responding to a call from the Hauraki region papa Niki Tauhara took a few of our kaihoe to Ngati Paua to bring back their waka “Kotuiti”. Two of our kaihoe Ben Ruawhare and Shaun Hemara were chosen as part of that crew. It was a 10 hour journey to row Kotuiti back to Karaka Bay, Glendowie from Kaiaua. Kia ora, korua. The big event brought thousands to the Viaduct with unforgettable images of our students participating at the forefront with many other kaihoe including Tainui, Mataatua, Ngati Paua and many more. We are especially humbled by the opportunity this experience has provided for our students and for the pride instilled in us as a school. Nga mihinui ki nga kaihoe: Ben Ruawhare, Mounga Taufateau, Shaun Hemara, Tevita Bryce (Dee), Alifeleti Tuipulotu, Hawaiiki-Nui Mano, Piri Maatafa Abraham, Shauni Baker, Angela Okay, Xavier Brown, Shamin Metera, Jasmiah Katinapi, Bay Fa’atuono. Naku noa, whaea

A great Night at the Te Poho O Tamaki Fundraiser.

This fantastic report from Alamanda....

Well, my night was absolutely awesome!
Te Poho o Tamaki Kapa Haka group held a major fundraiser to raise money for our previous trip upnorth. This was for the re-opening of Paatu marae in Pamapuria, home of a few students in the group and Tamaki’s very own care taker Wally Noble. What an experience that trip was for us rangatahi!
Tickets were sold for thirty-dollars each to over 60 people, however a few more tickets were sold at the door and over 80 people were attending total. Wow, who would’ve thought we would have such a good turn out!
People there included teachers, parents, whanau, community members and people from other areas of Auckland attended. Thanks for the tautoko!
So, what happened that night?

The night began with a powhiri and everybody was welcomed onto the marae by the kapa haka group and Matua Wally. After a little gossip, a good cup of tea and nibbles in the wharekai, the manuhiri made their way over to the auditorium whilst our group got ready for the performance. By the time we were ready and made our way to the back of the auditorium, the hangi was being served up and waitresses were placing the desserts at the tables. We had to wait a while, the karaoke had already started since we took a little longer to get ready than expected. Plus our fabulous workers asked for us to wait while they dished their plates up so they could watch too.

Through the doors we went and onto the stage. Wow, what a view the stage looked absolutely stunning, encouraging a mean performance!
There is nothing I love more then to perform for people that love to watch. Luckily for me, I could not see whether the audience was enjoying the performance or not thanks to great lighting, and it was easy to pretend everything was fabulous!

Once the performance was over, everybody began to slowly go home for the night was cold and the beds were calling. There was still good kai in the back. I remember once I got out of my performance uniform that was me, in the back of that auditorium dishing up my plate! The performers and workers were munching down the brown sugar pudding and custard before they got into the half warm hangi. Most of the meat was gone by the time we got in there, same with the delicious brown sugar pudding! What an eats.
There was a big mess left in the auditorium. Chairs left pushed out around tables, food on the floor and used cups were left everywhere. Signs of mean night!
The night and the preparation during the day definitely had its ups and downs. But thanks to hard work from teachers, parents and students another rush job was pulled off.
It was only the performers and a few workers left jamming’ on the karaoke machine and we didn’t leave until 11pm. What a night!

A special thanks to all those teachers and parents that came in and helped prepare everything, to Janet and Uncle Wally, to Anahera’s mother for the mean as brown sugar pudding and of course to my parents Mike and Loretta. Churr!

Kia Ora Whanau!

Here are some photos from the night....



Here is a video of the performance...

Polyfest 2009

Te Poho o Tamaki did extremely well at this years Polyfest coming 2nd overall in their division.
They were placed as follows:
1st Haka
1st Whakaeke
1st Whakawatea
1st = with Westlake Boys and Girls Male Uniform
1st = with Westlake Boys and Girls Female Uniform
1st = Kaitataki Tane
2nd Kaitataki Wahine
Most Improved School
3rd = with Pukekohe High for Moteatea
5th Poi
2nd Waiata Tira
4th = with Waitakere College for Mita o te Reo
1st Co- ed Mau Rakau
2nd Overall

Photos...



Video ...

Polyfest Dress Rehearsal....

The Tamaki College Kapa Haka Group - Te Poho O Tamaki were preparing for Polyfest 2009 in fine style at the dress rehearsal night in the school auditorium. A packed audience was wowed by the group's new set and we all wish them well for the competition...

Te Ahurea Tino Rangatiratanga 2008

Te Poho Tamaki were proud to compete at the Mangere based competition this year. They have worked really hard to prepare for this competition and a packed crowd gave them fantastic support.
Here are some photographs from the day...



Here is the video of the day...

Kapa Haka Group perform to the school assembly.

Assembly was an exciting one at Tamaki College on Friday. Te Poho O Tamaki, our Kapa Haka group performed their competition entry to the whole school.
They were fantastic and everybody loved them.
Good luck wishes were given for Saturday's competition.

Here are the photos...

Dress Rehearsal for Te Ahurea Tino Rangatiratanga 2008

Tamaki College Kapa Haka group have got a big competition this week and they had a fantastic dress rehearsal on Thursday night in the school auditorium.
They have been practicing for weeks, learning all new songs and moves and making all the uniform elements.
Here are some photos from the night...



Here is the video..