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Home / Hawkes Bay Today

Performing in memory of former leader

Hawkes Bay Today
21 Feb, 2017 12:00 AM2 mins to read

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Te Rerenga Kotuku are going in to the Te Matatini Festival with pride and passion.

Te Rerenga Kotuku are going in to the Te Matatini Festival with pride and passion.

Te Rerenga Kotuku who represents Ngati Kahungunu Ki Te Wairoa are going in to this year's Te Matatini Festival in memory of their founder Elliot Spooner.

The team are one of four representing the local iwi at this year's festival.

The group formed in 1992 and this year they celebrate their 25th birthday since being founded by Sheree and Elliot Spooner.

Mr Spooner passed away in 2015 and this is the first time the team will perform on the Te Matatini stage without his presence.

Today they are led by Sheree Cotter-Spooner and John-Barry Smith.

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Members of the groups associate to all hapu within Te Wairoa and travel from as far as Hamilton, Gisborne, Napier and Hastings to participate in trainings, which are mainly held in Wairoa.

There are also members who are not directly connected to Wairoa but have whakapapa to Kahungunu and Takitimu Waka.

Being the current regional Kahungunu champions they head in to this festival with pride and passion.

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Sheree cotter said their man focus was to represent Ngati Kahungunu Ki Te Wairoa and the rohe of Kahungunu the best they can since the passing of their founding tutor Elliot Spooner.

"It is the first time the team take the stage without Elliot who passed away in October 2015 so they are going out there to perform in his memory."

The loss of Elliot Spooner made preparation slightly challenging but Ms Cotter said the team have risen above this challenge and have tried to ensure they maintain the standards that Elliot demanded.

"Although it was hindered as Elliot provided all the music and choreography we have stepped up and will go out to perform for him."

Ms Cotter said the group hopes to bring Wairoataonga to the festival.

"We want to deliver a true belief in who we are and where we are form and this is portrayed in the content of the items that we will perform."

Te Rerenga Kotuku is a roopu who was established to nurture tikanga, reo and whanaungatanga utilising kapa haka as the vehicle to do so.

Ms Cotter said they provide a safe and positive environment for their tamariki and whanau.

The team are excited to perform in the festival hosted by the local iwi.

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