Passionate kapa haka support

Northland school pupils gave it their all but teams from elsewhere scooped top honours at the hugely successful national kapa haka competition that ended in Whangarei yesterday.

The sun was out and students, parents and performers thronged Toll Stadium for the final challenges before it all drew to a close.

Te Kura o Hoani Waititi, from Waitakere, west of Auckland, won the competition, followed by Te Wharekura o Rakaumanga, from Huntly. Te Kura o Manutuke, from Gisborne, came third.

Organising committee chairwoman Keri Milne-Ihimaera said although no Northland teams placed in the top three, she was delighted that six teams from the region performed.

Ms Milne-Ihimaera said it was great to see Northland schools and about 100 volunteers come out to strongly support their teams. Organisers estimate between 5000 and 6000 people passed through the gates during the three-day event.

In traditional style, performers and supporters from outside the region stayed at marae around the region. Ms Milne-Ihimaera said some schools stayed as far away as Paihia during the competition, which allowed them to explore Northland.

David Tapene, a support worker for the organising committee, said the competitors had been encouraged to tour the North to visit sites important to Maori such as Ninety Mile Beach, Cape Reinga and the Hokianga. Next year's competition is in Tauranga.

Northland has submitted proposals to host the 2012 National Secondary Schools Kapa Haka competitions and the 2015 Matatini National Kapa Haka (adult) competitions in 2015, at Toll Stadium.