Jeff Ruha (Te Whānau a Apanui) was a hit at Te Matatini in 2013, now he's tutoring a mainstream school who will make their debut at the National Primary School Kapa Haka Competition next month.
Leading from the front and critiquing from behind.
For eight years this performing arts veteran has been pouring out his skills and passion to the students of Rangeview Intermediate School, so they can compete at a national level.
Soon that will come to fruition when they perform at the National Kapa Haka Competition next month.
Jeff Ruha says, “As tutors we feel really fortunate, and so do the students.”
Performing student Janie Rose Paniora says “We're so stoked, we can't wait to get there.”
They're a mainstream school, with 95% of the students new to kapa haka.
Ruha says “Every year there are challenges, but because they don't know the protocols of kapa haka, that makes it easier for us to teach them.”
Jeff Ruha became famous for his entertaining performance with Te Whānau a Apanui at Te Matatini in 2013 and he hasn't changed.
Te Kāea reporter Mānia Clarke asked some of the performing students what Matua Jeff is like to them.
One student said, “He's cheeky all the time.”
Another said, “Matua Jeff, he's a good, good tutor, and disciplines us well.”