'Me tū kaha': Rangatahi lead the way at national kapa haka competition

The future of kapa haka is continuing to take the stage at the National Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Competition in Tauranga Moana, celebrating culture, identity and one of the key kaupapa of this year, Te Tū Rangatira a te Rangatahi.

Te Tāwharau o Ngā Waka has now entered its final day of pool performances, with 42 secondary school rōpū from across the motu vying for a place in Friday's top nine finals.

Among those making the journey north, were rōpū from Te Waipounamu, who travelled hundreds of kilometres to perform on one of the biggest stages of kapa haka.

Tearani Pakii of Te Wharekura o Whakapūmau said their bracket wove together several kaupapa, with their mōteatea focusing on the relationship between Te Waipounamu and Tauranga Moana.

"I maha ngā kaupapa ki tō mātau tū i te rā nei, engari ko te kaupapa o tō mātau mōteatea ko tō tātau hononga ki Tauranga Moana."

Pakii said kapa haka was a vehicle to bring Māori together.

"He mea whakakotahi i te iwi Māori, he mea pai mō te iwi Māori."

It brings Māori together, something good for us.

She encouraged other rangatahi to stand proudly in who they are, and "kaua e mataku, me tū kaha". Don't be afraid. Stand strong.

Pakii was supported in Tauranga Moana by her whānau, including her māmā, two older sisters and baby nephew, who travelled to tautoko her performance on the national stage. She comes from a strong whakapapa of kapa haka, with talented kaihaka running through both sides of her whānau.

Like every kaihaka and tutor RNZ spoke to, she said every performance was only possible because of the countless hours contributed by kaiako, whānau and supporters behind the scenes.

"Me mihi ka tika ki ngā kaiako katoa i āwhina mō te kapa haka, me ngā kākahu mō tō mātau tū, me ngā kaihāpai."

Across the performances, rōpū have used kapa haka to tell stories of whakapapa, mana motuhake and identity, while honouring loved ones who had passed and paying tribute to respected Māori leaders. Rōpū have used the stage to express contemporary issues affecting Māori communities, including last year's winners Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Puku o Te Ika a Māui, who dedicated their whakawātea to raukura Maiki Sherman - reinforcing kapa haka as both an art form and a vehicle for storytelling.

Another rōpū from Ōtautahi, Te Wharekura o Te Whānau Tahi, also reflected the enduring connection between Te Waipounamu and Tauranga Moana during their stand.

Stepping off the stage, kaitātaki tāne Kadene Codyre took a moment to gather himself after a demanding performance.

"Kua tau te mauri ināianei, kua ea ngā mahi, kua ngenge te tinana."

My mauri is settled now. We've done what we came here to do, and I'm exhausted.

He said performing kapa haka gave him the opportunity to express his culture and honour his tūpuna.

"Ka whakakotahi tātau ngā rangatahi katoa, ngā kaumātua anō hoki."

All us young people are coming together and our elders as well.

Despite balancing kapa haka alongside softball, rugby league, basketball and volleyball, Codyre said none of it would be possible without his parents. Codyre played for the U-18 Junior Black Sox (softball) men's team this year and qualified for the U-18 WBSC Softball World Cup Finals.

"I can't go past my parents, driving me everywhere, taking me to trainings and practices, getting everything ready. I'd like to thank them for everything, helping me through the thick and thin."

Watching from the crowd, his parents Henrietta and Steve Codyre struggled to hold back their emotions.

"I'm speechles," Henrietta said.

"He's our baby, this is going to be his last nationals, and to take his team to where he's got them today ... there's no words for it really.

"A box of tissues is what's needed."

Codyre is one of six tamariki, and follows in the footsteps of his older brothers and sisters. One of his older brothers, James Codyre, was one of the guitarists for their rōpū.

Steve said watching his youngest son lead both his kura and sporting teams filled him with pride.

"It makes my heart burst...I'm about to start crying."

Henrietta said the lessons learned through kapa haka extended well beyond the competition stage for all of her tamariki.

"What they learn here is what they take out into the real world."

She said the values instilled through Te Aho Matua, kura kaupapa Māori and kapa haka were evident in every aspect of her children's life.

Pool performances would continue on Thursday, with several past finalists, Ngā Puna o Waiorea, Te Wharekura o Te Kaokaoroa o Pāteretere, Te Kapa Haka o Te Koutu, Te Wharekura o Ruatoki, Te Wharekura o Rakaumangamanga, hoping to secure three of the remaining places in Friday's top nine.

Ngā Kapa Haka Kura Tuarua o Aotearoa is free to stream on Whare Kōrero and MĀORI+. Organisers urged viewers to use only official streaming platforms and to be cautious of scam pages and unofficial links circulating online.