Maaku anoo e hanga i tooku nei whare.

We will fashion our own house to serve our purpose.

Through colonization and land confiscation AWHINA I TE KAUPAPA our traditions and language nearly ceased to Awhina-i-te-Kaupapa is a group made up of students and ex-students of Te Wharekura o Rakaumanga a Maori exist. The saying above is a proverb by the emersion school based in Huntly. The group was first established in 1994 under the Tutors Rawiri Thompson of Raukawa and Kirimaaku Kihi of Waikato. late Maaori King Taawhiao Matuataera Pootatau Te Wherowhero the second. The group has performed and open festivals all over the country and overseas.

We aspire to embody this vision in everyday Showcasing Maaori performing arts, the revitalization of the Maaori language and the sustainability of Maaori life from starting our own Kura Kaupapa values and traditions are the founding principles for this group. Maaori, Wharekura and Whare Waananga where we preserve our traditional way of life NGAA MAHI A HINE-TE-REHIA -

and grow well grounded students who are Traditionally the poi was used by the male warriors as a training exercise, it helps with dexterity in the wrist and overall hand eye co-ordination. It has later been adopted by the women as a perfor- experts in all facets of Maaori language and mance item in a bracket where they show poise and gracefulness. traditions. Leilani Thompson-Kihi is one of the most well known Poi performers in . Her skill set has helped many teams win top awards at nationals and regionals. With her knowledge of Maori history she has become one of New Zealand's top tutors in High School Competitions. She is also one of the countries best performers at senior level Competition.

Performer Profiles Ora Kihi

Ora Kihi has been a teacher at Te Wharekura o Rakaumanga for over 10 years where he has coached their secondary kapa haka team to go on to win over ten regional competitions and 3 na- tional titles. He has assisted his own team Whangara-mai-tawhiti to win 2 national Matatini titles and over 15 regional competitions. Currently he is the cultural advisor for the Kiwi’s Rugby League and Chiefs Rugby teams. Maapihi Pounamu Rapana

Maapihi is a seasoned performer who has won regional WORLD REKNOWN EVENTS high school titles, A performer for Tauira Mai Tawhiti a Top Senior team and overall excellence on the Matatini with Maori Performing Arts stage. She is a student at Te Wharekura o Rakaumanga Throughout the years Aawhina I te kaupapa has been in- where she leads the Maori cultural group. She is also a volved in multiple regional, national and global indigenous student who excels in performing arts, plays lead roles in the Production Return to the River and Tao. conferences from performance showcases to public speaking forums and everything in between. They often go to perform brackets made up of an entry MAA NGAA MAHI KAPA HAKA KOE E PUTA KI TE AO. item explaining the distance travelled by the group, a tra- Kapa Haka and Maaori Performing Arts can take you around the world. ditional waiata ori or lullaby that pay homage to ancestors, an action song and poi and the infamous haka with a clos- ing item that shows appreciation for the hosting country.

Below are some of the many events that they have attend- ed in the past: Merrie monarch 1998, 2000, 2007, 2010 Cheng Du Panda festival 1998 Pangopango South Pacific Arts Festival 2008 Korea Trades Festival 2009 Taiwan Festival 2014 Rugby world cup 2011 Chiefs Rugby Super 15 Awhina-I-te-Kaupapa allows Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremony 2011 Kiwis four nations 2008 both current and ex-students of Te Wharekura o Under the guidance of Ora Kihi a collective of tribal mem- bers from all ages and all tribes throughout New Zealand Chiefs Rugby Franchise 2012, 2013 Rakaumanga opportunities to assist multiple Rugby Rugby League World Cup 2017 were involved in the opening ceremony for the Rugby and Rugby League teams in their traditional challenge World Cup . otherwise known as wero or haka.