Kapa Haka
“The fundamental purpose of Kapa Haka has always been to assist Maori students to strengthen their links with iwi, hapu and whänau, while growing in the knowledge of Maoritanga (Kaiwai, 2001). Kapa Haka allows Maori students to reveal the potential of self, culture and identity through the art of performing.
Kapa Haka is a traditional taonga (treasure) enhancing the understanding of Maori language, culture and heritage. Many schools and teachers choose to include Kapa Haka as a critical way for Maori students to gain credits towards a national qualification, while enjoying the level of proficiency Maori students demonstrate during the performance.
It is for many Maori students a real life journey of knowing more about oneself, developing connections between culture and education, and celebrating the time of coming together with family and friends to perform” (Whitinui, 2004).
Kapa Haka has always played an important teaching role in the 21 year history of Te Whanau o Tupuranga. It has offered students a unique learning opportunity and raised the whanau profile and reputation within the wider Maori community. However, Kapa Haka within Te Whanau o Tupuranga plays a far more important role in terms of the impact that it has on students, their learning and their whanau. We believe Kapa Haka is an important curriculum in itself.
The whanau has always achieved a high standard of performance within this art form, whether in Kapa Haka in general school activities, or as a specialist Kapa Haka roopu at competitive level. Teachers have always maintained that it is 'the journey’ students embark on, in preparation for a performance, the skills they develop, and whanaungatanga and leadership opportunities, which have the greatest impact.
Kapa Haka improves students’ general attitude towards school. It encourages parent participation, which flows on to other aspects of school life. Kapa Haka modifies behaviour, gives our students a sense of pride and history to build their own achievements on, while offering opportunities for collaborative and group learning. Kapa Haka is a unique medium for learning and developing relationships, between students, between kaiako and students, between whanau and kaiako, and for authentic interaction and learning in our marae setting.
Te Whanau o Tupuranga appreciates the ongoing involvement of former students who willingly give of their time to return, to compose and to tutor items, and to act as role models for our students in Kapa Haka performance.
Last Updated Saturday, February 06 2010 @ 09:59 PM CST|328 Hits 
