Te Rangi Aniwaniwa's Nga Mahuri juniors set off yesterday bound for Palmerston North and the national intermediate-age Kura Tuatahi Kapa Haka competition. The Year 3-8 pupils had been training throughout the year, tumuaki Hilda Halkyard-Harawira said, senior whakairo students, under the tuition of Eric Korewha and Cade Cowper, carving hoe for the boys and Kumeroa Gregory teaching the junior girls how to make rapaki.
Turquoise rapaki would be worn by kaitataki tane Ruana Smith and kaitataki wahine Te Rawha Fletcher.
"The board of trustees commends the two new tutors, former students and beginning teachers Pene Tawhara and Ruruhi HeiHei for their on-going commitment throughout the year to Nga Mahuri," Mrs Halkyard-Harawira added.
"Special thanks to Delanie Parangi and Whiti Noa, who were the consistent backbone and drive to fundraise with whanau more than $30,000 to enable the week-long trip to happen."
Nga Mahuri would also visit Te Papa, Parliament and the Waiwera hot pools on the way home, and would not be expected at school on Monday.
