St James’ kapa haka for Matariki

Tu te winiwini, tu te wanawana,
Tihei mauri ora ki te whai ao ki te ao mārama
He mihi tēnei ki a koutou katoa
Kua u ki tēnei kārere ki te kitea ngā momo huihuinga ki te whakanui tēnei tohu
Tēnei wā o te Matariki i roto i te Kura Tuatahi o Hāto Hēmi.
Ka huri o tātou whakaaro ki ngā tini mate
Kua haere ki tua o Matariki moe mai ra i roto te ngakau o te Kaihanga
E kore rawa koutou e warewaretia ki a tātou ngā morehu tēna tātou katoa.

Matariki is a time for communities and whānau to come together to share puuraakakau (stories), mātauranga (knowledge), pukenga (skills) and te wā whakamaumāharatanga (remembrance) of our whakapapa, our connection to each other and the land that we live in, me k√Ѭ´ ko te taonga tuku iho (our legacy).

The whānau at Te Kura Tuatahi o Hāto Hēmi, (St James’ School) wanted to support the moemoeā (vision) of whāea Jude Wills and past whānau to provide an opportunity for the school community to host a whānau evening through whakawhanaungatanga and the performing arts, to share the talents of students and whānau of other Catholic schools in our district. Matariki 2010 provided the theme and occasion.

The evening began with a pōhiri, a karanga led by the senior kotiro (girls) and supported by kuia, whaea Materoa Mar.
This was followed by a haka p√Ö¬çhiri (war dance) performed by the members of the kapa haka group. Matua Shane Ruwhiu then welcomed visitors Pa Chris Martin, principals and staff from Our Lady of Lourdes, Te Kura o Hāto Paora and Hāto Petera (St Peter’s College), their whānau, and supporters.

Mā to rourou, mā toku rourou, ki a ora ai tātou. (Those who contribute to the occasion will be immensely rewarded).
At the end of the night all visitors shared a supper put on by the PTFA.

As a school we were overwhelmed with the response and feedback we received about how much everyone enjoyed the evening. Indeed, the presence of the Holy Spirit was felt throughout the evening.

A big thank you to all who made this wonderful occasion possible. Thoughts about the next evening are underway.
Na reira, e te whānau, mā te kaihanga koutou e manaaki e tiaki i ngā wā katoa, kia tau te mauri.