Children's kapa haka tribute brings many to tears

Waiwhakaata Tangitu,12 performing in the kapa haka competition. Photo/Andrew Warner.

Te Puna School's kapa haka performance took on special meaning at the Tauranga Moana regional kapa haka competition on Saturday, with the performers wearing black arm bands in remembrance of Te Awanuiarangi Black.

The highly respected iwi leader and Bay of Plenty regional councillor passed away on Wednesday.

Mr Black had been closely involved with the kapa haka group of students between 7 and 13 years old and their tutors.

A tutor, who wished not to be named, said Te Puna had traditionally done well at the competition but in recent years had not placed in the finals.

"We really want to place this year. The whanau has been training hard for the last couple of months," he said.

The passion of performances inside Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre on the day brought many in the hundreds-strong crowd to tears.

Fifteen groups from nine schools around Tauranga competed. Of the 11 sections in the competition, Te Maro (Tauranga Intermediate) won every one.

Te Puna performing at the regional kapa haka competition. Photo/Andrew Warner.

Judge Charlie Rahiri said nearly all of the schools competing did a dedication to Mr Black, ''which was really good because he's only just died, and those kids would have had to learn things pretty quickly''.

Mr Rahiri said a lot of Te Puna School's performance was based on the Maori land wars, which was something Mr Black was passionate about highlighting and educating the wider public about.

''There was a lot of energy but it was quite bizarre because it was quite sombre as well. But he would say 'the show must go on'.

''Nearly everyone paid some sort of dedication to Awanui. There was definitely a huge amount of energy,'' Mr Rahiri said.

Te Maro placed first; Te Wharekura of Mauao placed second; Otepou placed third; Te Wharekura o Tauranga Moana placed fourth and Te Puna School placed fifth.