default-output-block.skip-main
National | James Cook High School – Te Kapunga

Waiorea leaders say sacrifices well worth it

Ngā Puna a Waiorea have been crowned Te Ahurea Tino Rangatiratanga champions for this year.  Their group leaders say the sacrifice has been well worth it.

Ngā Puna o Waiorea gain another title to add to their impressive trophy cabinet.   They placed 2nd at this year's national competition in Palmerston North.  A week after, they were back on the floor training for this competition.

The host group put up a fierce challenge, taking second by a small margin.

Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae placed third.  This year's competition is a non-qualifying year for the nationals to be held at Vector Arena Auckland 2020.

Female leader of Ngā Puna o Waiorea Atakura Hunia says, "It’s very exciting, we're very happy, no words really can describe the moment.  It’s been a beautiful competition and well hosted and that's really how we feel, its like, 'wow!'”

Having only a one-week break after the national competition back in July of this year, Hunia says, "Kapa haka all day, kapa haka all night, it really doesn’t matter- we love it."

Male leader of Ngā Puna o Waiorea, Te Kaha Jonathan says, "I got a bit nervous as the different sections were being announced and I could see that it was very close between our two schools but at the end of the day we had a great performance and they had a great performance also so I thank them for doing a massive job as our host for this year."

Overall 2018 results:

1st - Ngā Puna o Waiorea

2nd - Te Kapunga

3rd - Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae