Te Maori: New building revives kapa haka group

PASSION: The Rotorua police kapa haka group performing the haka pohiri during Te Amo Whakaruruhau opening. Photo/Ben Fraser

The Rotorua police kapa haka group has been revitalised with the opening of the new police station.

Up to 40 police staff practised twice a week for months leading up to the opening of Te Amo Whakaruruhau. Senior Sergeant Anaru Pewhairangi said Rotorua police had a strong history of kapa haka, with several staff members performing on the national stage at Te Matatini competition, although participation had waned in recent years.

"We didn't necessarily have an event that was significant enough to bring us all together," he said.

"With the opening of a new station in Rotorua, in the heart of Te Arawa, it made sense to ensure revitalisation of our kapa haka and use it as an opportunity and vehicle to come together as a wider police whanau."

Mr Pewhairangi said the call to take part was voluntary and open to everyone.

"One of the real visions we had was to make sure it was inclusive."

"We had sworn police staff, general duty staff, custody, CIB, Maori, non-Maori.

"We got to see another side to our colleagues, rank went out the door and we were all there for a common purpose.

The group was led by seasoned peformers Detective Herby Ngawhika and Const Shar Wiperi, who had both competed at Te Matatini.

"We are in Te Arawa country and we wanted to make our mark and take ownership of the station as well as working in partnership with Ngati Whakaue.

"We were very fortunate to have good engagement with Sir Toby Curtis and Mauriora Kingi, spending a lot of time with them putting together what the pohiri and parade will look like and being in line with what Te Arawa whananui expect," he said.

" It absolutley brought us a lot closer together, so close that we decided as a roopu (group) to carry the kapa haka on. Te Amo Whakaruruhau is a place of shelter and a wharenui, it's the first police station in country to have a name, we see ourselves in a kaitiaki (guardian) role, it's not just a police station, it's a whare and we need to uphold the mana and mauri of the whare.

"We have a role to manaki, to look after the people, who come through our doors," Mr Pewhairangi said.

Sergeant Pauline Jones said it was a great experience being able to re-connect with her Maori culture.

"I have never done it before and I'm Maori so for me it was an opportunity to learn and a good oportunity be part of the team," she said.

" For me it was really hard but the whole day was such a big buzz, it was awesome and you just felt really proud on the day."

Mrs Jones said that being part of the group was a great chance to bond with people she didn't have really know before and it was supportive enviorment for everyone.