KAPA HAKA

Kapahaka – Tutū ana te Puehu

At Dannevirke High School, kapa haka is more than performance — it’s a living expression of identity, pride, and connection. Our group “Tutū ana te Puehu” is led by Whaea Mackenzie Walding and supported by our kaiako Māori Te Amokura Gaffey, in collaboration with our incredible tutors from the Ngāti Kahungunu ki Tāmaki nui-a-Rua office — Ariana McLaren, Jarna Mihaere and Shaquille Mihaere, along with the wider office team who consistently awhi our tauira.

Through the new “Awarua te Kura” programme, our students spend two hours every Thursday combining their passion for kapa haka with NCEA learning, growing both their cultural and academic kete. This kaupapa allows rangatahi to deepen their understanding of tikanga, build performance confidence, and gain meaningful credits through mahi they love.

This year began with a wānanga at Te Ahu a Turanga Marae,  where our students were the first group to be driven and even walk on the newly opened highway “Te Ahu a Turanga” alongside Ngāti Kahungunu kaumātua and whānau. They then returned to *Te Ahu a Turanga Marae*, where they showed beautiful manaakitanga — welcoming other visiting whānau with a shared kai and a heartfelt kapa haka performance. This was a closed Kaupapa prior to the official opening of the road. 

Throughout the year, Tutū ana te Puehu will represent our kura with pride across multiple kaupapa — from the school talent quest, Matariki and Te Wiki o te Reo Māori celebrations, to the Dannevirke town Matariki Festival and the annual Dannevirke Kapa Haka Festival. All whiel achieving credits. 

This is what we do at DHS: we uplift te ao Māori, we create space for excellence, and we grow young leaders grounded in culture and kaupapa. Ka rawe koutou!

Whaia te iti Kahurangi ki te tuohu koe me he maunga teitei.