As you are aware, in previous years, our tamariki have had an opportunity to perform at the Primary School Ahurei Kapahaka Festival, traditionally held at the Sir Howard Morrison Centre. Due to previous Covid restrictions and renovations taking place at the venue, getting this event organised for our tamariki has been a slight challenge.

In response to this, our Kāhui Ako Schools (Ōwhata, Lynmore, Mokoia and Rotokawa) have decided to hold an event of our own with the purpose of celebrating and showcasing Kapahaka across the Kāhui Ako. A way to bring our community together and share in the brilliance that is our tamariki!

We opted not to wait on the Ahurei organisation so that we could go ahead with this in a planned and purposeful manner, also giving our whānau and community plenty of time to prepare for this event. Matua Taimona Panapa (Mokoia) has formally named this event ‘Te Hiwi o Toroa’ and the whakapapa behind this ingoa (name) links to our whenua (land) in which our various kura sit, and holds prominence to Mokoia Island, Lake Rotorua and the rich history of these areas in relation to our kura.

We are really excited to hold this celebration as a Kāhui Ako. It will be a relaxed ‘vibe’ and hopefully the weather will permit an outdoor ‘picnic style’ celebration. There is a contingency plan if needed. We would like to extend a huge mihi to Lynmore School for offering their kura as our venue.

Each kura will prepare and organise their Kapahaka group and performance as per usual; and work out the logistics of transportation/kai.

He mihi nui ki a tātou i runga i tenei kaupapa whakahirahira.

Te Hiwi o Toroa Committee –

(Callie Raureti, Christina Roberts, Hinei Taute, Kimberlee Fields and Stevee Raureti)