Makoura seniors scoop music awards

AWARDS GUESTS: Prize winners, teachers and Whanau Ora representatives, from left rear, Moses Aeto, Louise Matoki, Aaron Awa (Whanau Ora), Lene Malatai, Jelisa Bowden, Kelly Maugatai (Whanau Ora), from front left, Belinda Carey (music), Cicilie Jonli, Dallas Powell (homeroom) Destiny Ranger, Eternal Sutton. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Makoura College students scooped the pool of prizes in the musical section of the Whanau Ora Wairarapa artwork and jingles contest.

Whanau Ora Wairarapa representatives Aaron Awa and Kelly Maugatai presented prizes to students at the college for their contest-winning work.

The competition aimed to introduce Whanau Ora Wairarapa to the community and also to connect with Wairarapa rangatahi, Mr Awa said.

Makoura College students had made a strong showing in the contest.

"Makoura did well, they placed first, second and third in the waiata part of the senior section, also second and third in the junior art section."

First prize was an iPad mini, second was a smartphone and third was a prize bag of various items, he said.

"The quality of the entries from Makoura was great. Both judges were impressed with the skill that went into them," Mr Awa said.

Whanau Ora Wairarapa is a collective made up of the two mana whenua iwi of Wairarapa - Rangitane o Wairarapa and Kahungunu ki Wairarapa - and the two main Maori service providers - Whaiora and Te Hauora Runanga o Wairarapa.