Masterton teen Huriaa Martin has won national selection as a kapa haka performer for Maori Television reality show The Kapa.
Ms Martin, 17, is a student at the Wairarapa Teen Parent Unit and Makoura College, and was selected for the new show at auditions held in Rotorua at the weekend.
Maori Television had been looking for 24 talented kapa haka performers for the competitive show which aims to come up with a cultural super-group to represent Aotearoa.
Wairarapa Teen Parent Unit head Rae Mckenzie said Ms Martin's audition opportunity and ultimate selection reflected her talent and commitment and was a dream come true for her. "I am so excited she was accepted and will be travelling to Auckland to perform in the show. An amazing achievement for Huriaa."
Ms Martin said she was passionate about kapa haka and her goal was to become a full-time performer. She had performed kapa haka since she was 5, taken the stage with school, Makoura College and community kapa haka groups and been the leader on many occasions.
