Next stop Gisborne for kapa haka kids (+ video)

Looking forward to the National Secondary Schools' Kapa Haka competition is Te Rangimonoa Rangihau (left) and Puahaere Vaka - leaders of Western Heights High School kapa haka group, Te Roopu Manaaki. Photo/Ben Fraser

Preparations are underway for Rotorua high school students entering the National Secondary Schools' Kapa Haka competition.

Excitement and nerves are being felt by Western Heights High School group, Te Roopu Manaaki who are looking forward to the four-day event in Gisborne next week. Also competing is Te Iti Rearea from Te Whare Kura o Ngati Rongomai and Rotorua Lakes' High School, Te Roopu Raukura from Rotorua Boys' and Girls' High School and Nga Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Puku o Te Ika a Maui which included Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Ruamata.

"We've had eight weeks of preparation and because of that timeframe we've been having to practise quite hard out. It's been a lot of commitment from the group, all day practice every weekend but it's worked out fine," Western Heights High School kapa haka co-tutor Dan Vaka said.

Click for video

The group this year have five tutors who have all performed in the national senior competition Te Matatini.

"We have to commend our students for the commitment they've shown, right at the start we laid out the plan of what was expected and they knew what days they had to sacrifice in terms of sport. They've committed themselves to kapa haka which is a testament to the passion for not only kapa haka but their Maoritanga," Mr Vaka said.

Group leaders Te Rangimonoa Rangihau and Puahaere Vaka said they couldn't wait to perform next week.

"Just showing the motu (region) the hard work we've been doing and representing our school, family, iwi and hapu," Puahaere said.

"It's been a long, hard journey but very rewarding in itself and we can't wait to take the stage," Te Rangimonoa said.

Students have had to sacrifice their commitment to sports such as five of the first XV rugby players missing out on games and Puahaere who opted to not play netball for a senior A team.

"Kapa haka is our life and I would much rather sit and watch a netball game then watch a performance," she said.

The National Secondary Schools' Kapa Haka competition will start on Tuesday in Gisborne with the finals to be held on Friday.