about us
Justin
Kia ora! Kapa haka has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I thought it was normal to spend most weekends at the marae watching Mum and Dad practice kapa haka for hours on end, getting ready for competition or international tours. I took my love for performing kapa haka and studied at Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School. Since graduating with my Bachelor of Performing Arts in 2015, I’ve enjoyed both performing internationally and educating young people around the country. I strongly believe in entertaining and engaging my students while teaching them.
Te Huamanuka
Mauri ora ki a koutou katoa! He uri tēnei nō te moana o Kāwhia me te kohu o Te Urewera. I have always been a singer and performer, and whakangahau has always been my favourite type of kapa haka – for fun and community to be at the heart of performing together. I love working with people and have spent time teaching tamariki, taiohi, rangatahi and pākeke. My favourite thing about kapa haka is how it connects us to our ancestors and where we come from in the most joyous way possible. Nōku te waimarie ki te whakaako ki ō tātou tamariki. As a teacher, I don’t want them to get it perfect, I just hope they give it their best shot and have fun (and that they’ll end up loving kapa haka as much as I do!)
Kerira
Kia ora ko Kerira Tapene tēnei! I’ve been involved with te ao kapa haka since I was little. Most of what I know about kapa haka comes from my parents and grandparents who were heavily involved with the Auckland Anglican Māori Club and Te Huinga Waka (Poihākena). When we moved back to Te Tai Tokerau, my whānau became heavily involved with Hātea and have been a part of them since they started in 2000. I began performing for Hatea in 2012 and have since done four Te Matatini performances with the group.I am certainly no expert of kapa haka however, I love to perform, share and teach everything I know about kapa haka with others!