Rotorua teachers and students to battle it out

Performers (front from left) Manaia Harawira, Josiah Hamlin, Te Okiwa Morgan, Nikora Wade, teacher Kimiora Webster, Hohaia Macfarlane, teacher Jamus Webster, Manukau Whata and Tamawhakaara Ngawhika PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

Two Rotorua Boys' High School teachers will battle it out against their students in front of a nationwide audience for the top honours at kapa haka's most prestigious event.

Teachers and brothers, Kimiora and Jamus Webster, are performance veterans at Te Matatini with the Hastings event marking their ninth year at the competition.

Seven students will also be on the national stage representing roopu, Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao, Te Kapa Haka o Ruatoki, Te Hikuwai, and Tauira Mai Tawhiti.

Head of the Rotorua Boys' High School's Maori department and male leader of Waka Huia, Kimiora Webster said it was a challenge to give his students advice for Te Matatini without giving too many secrets away.

"But we do give them some pointers as we're teaching them. Because the majority of the boys are in Raukura [Rotorua Boys' and Girls' High School kapa haka group] we've taught them a lot of the things to prepare for which will also help for Te Matatini," Mr Webster said.

"For those 30 minutes on stage, we're not student-teacher, we're performing and representing our team. But in the long run the students and school benefit as we consider this professional development.

"The boys are learning about their culture, te reo Maori, their history and how to communicate and relate to each other. All values that we nurture and instil in them here at school so they may reach their full potential."

For Year 11 student Manaia Harawira this will be his first time performing at the event for Te Kapa Haka o Ruatoki.

"I'm excited, practice has been really intense but we're all just looking forward to it."

Rotorua Boys' High School has a long history of success in Maori performing arts with Raukura the current national secondary champions.