Students are all action for Maori Language Week
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Three Richmond schools celebrated Te Wiki o te Reo Maori or Maori Language Week in signature style yesterday with a giant haka powhiri on the grounds of Waimea College involving about 1700 students.
The haka powhiri, or a chant and dance of welcome, took place on the school tennis courts with students from Salisbury School, Waimea Intermediate and Waimea College taking part.
Waimea College cultural captain Keryn Filer, 17, said the idea for the event came from wanting to include as many people as possible.
"We just wanted to get everybody involved and get everyone interested in Maori Language Week. This just seemed like a good way to do it."
Waimea College teacher Rowena Hart said the haka powhiri brought the schools together "like one big whanau".
The Waimea College first XV and year 10 boys warmed the crowd up with the school haka before joining the rest of the students.
Salisbury School teacher Donna Madding said it was important to celebrate New Zealand's culture.
"It's a very strong thing at our own school so we are really looking forward to our haka powhiri performance."
Waimea College student Bronson Morrell-Hopa, 12, and Waimea Intermediate pupil Norton Rewiti-Manning, 10, led the haka powhiri with all students and teachers getting involved.
Waimea College principal Larry Ching said the school wanted to do something a bit different to celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Maori.
"We thought it would be a really good way to get a whole group activity, the whole school involved and incorporate our other campus schools as well and it's been really great."
Ms Hart said she thought the haka powhiri went brilliantly.
"When you walk through it, it's an amazing experience. You have your hairs stand up and it gives you shivers down your back."
- © Fairfax NZ News
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