Small group scores big

The St Mary's Diocesan School kapa haka Roopu group are small but mighty - and they proved this at the Taranaki Puanga festival last month, winning first prize.

"These girls are by far the smallest team to have ever taken the stage at the Puanga festival," whaea (teacher) Kuka Tonga Awhikau says.

While the group has only seven members, Kuka says it had the strength and volume of a team twice their size.

The Taranaki Puanga Festival is an annual event celebrating the Maori new year (called matariki in other parts of the country). "It is held so late in the year so we can catch the warmer weather and more schools can be involved," Kuka says.

She has worked with the students of St Mary's Diocesan School for more than eight years and this is the fourth time that the school has sent a group to the festival.

Students are able to perform in various sections including waiata tira, haka, waiata a ringa, and te reo.

The group from St Mary's impressed the judges in several catagories and along with the overall win the students brought home first place in waiata tira, haka, waiata A ringa, kakahu and Kaitatahi wahine.

The group's leader, 17-year-old Ilish Goble, who was awarded the prize for kaitatahi wahine for her leadership is proud of the group.

"I am so proud of everything we have achieved this year, we worked hard for and it is great to see the results."

Ilish also received a third place prize for her performance in the te reo section.