By Bev Bell | Posted: Monday February 22, 2021
On February the 10th, the Year 8's and staff of Casebrook Intermediate welcomed the new students to the school of opportunities.
As they entered the hall the Kapa Haka group performed their well-practised Haka Powhiri while Whaia Tania, the female Kapa Haka tutor, made a welcoming call, leading the new students into the hall. The Kapa Haka group finished their Haka and the students sat down. The point of this performance was for the students to get a taste of what Kapa Haka was like and to set a mood for the Mihi Whakatau, the welcoming ceremony.
Matua Willy, the male tutor of Kapa Haka group, began a speech while the students sat down and spoke his mihi as well as a few other things. Mr Foster then shared a speech which included his mihi as well.
Once Matua Willy finished his speech, the Year 8's stood up and sang He Honore to the new students. They then sat down and the Year 7’s returned E toru Nga Mea, both well known Maori songs.
Elijah Sommerfield, a Year 7, said “It was an intense and awe-inspiring atmosphere and the Kapa Haka group looked very impressive and showed the warrior side of them the way they acted and performed”.
After the ceremony ended, everyone went back to class and had a snack to break the tapu which means break the sacredness. This has been a tradition for years and will continue for many more years to come.
Article by Tahana Waretini, Lucas Thomas and Jessica Varga