Maori and Pasifika Cultural Evening 2018
Maori and Pasifika Cultural Evening 2018
September 28, 2018 at 2:48 PM
Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Talofa lava, Fakalofa lahi atu, Malo lelei – and Nia Hao – and a warm welcome to you all!
Saint Kentigern has a rich cultural heritage with deep ties to our early roots in Scotland. Alongside our traditional past, we also celebrate the cultural heritage that reflects the growing diversity of our student cohort today.
For those of us fortunate enough to have travelled to a Pacific Island, we know there is nothing more entertaining than being engaged in an island’s cultural concert. They are colourful, energetic, meaningful, all-inclusive and are bound to bring on the smiles!
After a few years’ hiatus, the College Cultural Group reformed early last year, quickly swelling in numbers to represent a diverse range of nationalities from the Pacific Island nations and beyond. The group is a cross section of all ages drawn from throughout the Middle and Senior Colleges, who were very proud to come together and perform for family and friends this week! The Cultural Evening was their chance to give a performance in public and share a little of their own customs. It was an important showcase of Saint Kentigern’s diverse cultures and a celebration of Maori and Pasifika youth. This year, we also welcomed two Chinese students to the stage to share their talents.
Parents of the performers set up fabulous food stalls in the foyer of the hall, enticing guests to sample a range of Maori and Pasifika food before the show started. This was a welcome gesture and greatly appreciated by all!
The evening began with a Powhiri. This custom traditionally served to discover whether the visiting party was friend or foe and acts as the formal welcoming of guests by the hosts. The opening waiata, Te Aroha (The Love), was sung by everyone bringing a strong sense of community to both guests in the audience and our students on stage.
Once again, Valance Yates, now Year 12, delivered the whaikorero (tangata whenua), speaking with superb self-assurance. The whaikorero (manuhiri) came from Vita Ahokovi (Year 13). A heartfelt speech, as a student near graduation, he said he felt honoured to have the chance to be part of this great school.
Mrs Suzanne Winthrop, Principal Senior College welcomed all the guests, saying that this celebration is one she looks forward to, knowing the passion that is poured into each of the items. The night was hosted by, J’adore Harris-Tavita (Year 10) and Meli Young Yen (Year 11) who did a fantastic continuity job, keeping the audience informed and entertained from start to finish.
The first item brought all our kapa haka group back on stage to perform a set. This group is largely made up of Middle College students of all cultural backgrounds who meet regularly to learn action songs. Most recently, they performed at the Wearable Arts Show. They started with ‘He Honore, followed by Poi-Rona and an action waiata, ‘utaina mai.’ The set finished with a rousing Haka performed by the boys from Bruce House, led by Valance.
The evening entailed both individual and group performances. Year 10 student, Chloe Haerewa is a familiar figure on stage, having played lead roles in Middle College productions and many music department events. She gave a strong performance of ‘Tangaroa Whakamautai’ to a backdrop of ever-changing New Zealand scenery. A new addition to the evening followed with Chinese students, Winnie Liang (Year 10) on Chinese flute and Peter Guan (Year 10) on keyboard performing a Chinese folk song, ‘Lac Troi and Fairies and the Greenland. Melody Lui-Webster (Year 9) finished this section of the evening with a graceful ‘Loimata o Le Fia Fia.
The group dances were superbly choreographed set pieces from the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga and Tahiti; both the boys and girls proudly wearing incredibly detailed, hand-made costumes. A group of Tongan boys opened their set with a haunting rendition of ‘Kahoa,’ sung unaccompanied in rich harmony. In each set, gentle, lyrical pieces gave way to lively, vibrant performances that brought whoops of joy from the audience!
Departing Year 13 students Tevita Ahokovi, Solomon Fifita, Sila Tituiti and Adam Alovili were presented with gifts as an acknowledgement for their service as students and members of the College’s Tongan group.
In closing, Mrs Marianne Duston, Deputy Principal Middle College gave thanks to the performers but also to the many staff, tutors and parents behind the scenes who had worked to make this such a special occasion.
Kaea Rangihaeta finished the night off with a closing prayer which was a Maori translation of the Prayer of Saint Kentigern.
This year’s Cultural Evening was a wonderful, happy celebration of the mix of cultural backgrounds that make up our student body and was greatly enjoyed by all who attended. It was wonderful to see the pride with which the students represented their culture, their school and their families and the sense of belonging they brought to the stage. It was a total pleasure to watch! The audience loved it and were not shy about vocalising their support!
THANK YOU TO OUR HELPERS!
Parents turned out in force in support of this year’s Cultural Show. In the hours leading up to the performance, there was feverish activity as mothers adjusted costumes and last-minute rehearsing took place. For students involved in the Kapa Haka pieces, there was also a need to wait in turn while their moko was carefully applied from a printing block. Our grateful thanks to the group who worked to ensure that each student looked fantastic!
Our sincere thanks to:
Tutors:Samoan: John Lafaele, Cook Island and Tahitian: Ina Parker-Boxer and Jasmine Gifford. Tongan: Sela Ahokovi and Bruno Moala, Kapa Haka: Bernadette Haerewa and Carolyn Pou
Stalls: Sela Ahokovi, Tili Young Yen, Phoebe Agaimalo, Tina McKenzie, Lupe Tamanika, Kotako Cuthers, Theresa Rongonui.
