For the first time in more than a decade, Sacred Heart College Napier and St John’s College Hastings reunited at kapa haka regionals with a historic joint performance.

The combined rōpū took the stage at Te Haaro o Te Kahu Te Mātau a Māui, held at the Napier Municipal Theatre last month (May 23). It marked Sacred Heart’s first regionals appearance since 2020 and a revival of the schools’ long-desired cultural partnership.

Sacred Heart Principal Maria Neville-Foster said the performance was the culmination of years of groundwork, and a meaningful step for two schools already closely connected in many areas of school life.

“This hasn’t just happened overnight. It has been years in the making, with foundations laid by those who came before us,” she said.

“I am really proud of our students and what they have achieved, and I want to thank the whānau who have supported them along the way.” 

She described the tutors as “taonga”. “They truly have been a gift from God, and without them, this would not have been possible.”

Under the guidance of tutors from Gisborne and Whakatāne, students trained intensively over several months to prepare their 20-minute bracket.

Sacred Heart College Te Reo Māori teacher Matua Hemi Birch (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāpuhi) said the kaupapa was about more than performance.

“It is about practising tikanga, manaakitanga and kapa haka. Most of our girls identify as Māori, but they are not strongly connected to where they are from or able to speak the reo. It is about creating a space where it is okay. You are Māori, we are Māori, let us celebrate it.”

Birch said kapa haka gave all students a place to belong.

“You do not have to be Māori to be part of the kaupapa. What matters is the manaakitanga and the desire to be involved.”

Seeing the group take the stage surpassed his original hopes.

“It was a goal of mine to get a kapa haka group to take the stage, but to have been able to put a competitive kapa together was a bonus and credit to the hard work put in by all involved.”

He also acknowledged the wider support behind the scenes, including from Napier Girls’ High School and Central Hawke’s Bay College, who assisted with piupiu and kākahu.

“With their support, we were able to thrive and grow on the stage. From cooks to cleaners, supporters to teachers, and of course the performers, we all played a part in this historic moment.”

The collaboration also deepened the existing connection between Sacred Heart and St John’s.

“Now the students see each other as whānau, and that is the real success.”

St John’s College Head of Te Reo Māori, Matua Maia Solomon (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa), said the return to regionals had been a long time coming.

“This is a way for our students - not just Māori, but all students - to connect with Te Ao Māori and with each other through kapa haka,” he said.

“Getting these guys to this point and being able to stand on stage with Sacred Heart is something that has been missing for a while. That connection is a big thing.”

For Sacred Heart College Year 13 Cultural Leader Myah Lee (Ngāti Whakaue), the performance was a deeply personal milestone.

“It means a lot to me because I’m one of the first in my family to perform at regionals,” she said. “To stand with my peers, representing our school, our culture and our whānau, it was something I’ll never forget.”

Fellow Year 13 student Riana Foster (Ngāti Kahungunu) said the transformation within the group was one of the highlights of the experience.

“At the start of the year, everyone was pretty shy, especially mixing across schools,” she said. “But we’ve built real friendships and confidence. It’s been amazing to be part of.”

St John’s student Pararatima Haggerty (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga), 14, described the experience as the best thing he had done at school.

“Our haka was my favourite. Everyone gave it everything, and we really worked together as one.”

Year 12 student Tamas Madarasz-Smith (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa), who performed two solo parts, said the moment stood out in his years of kapa haka experience.

“I’ve been doing kapa haka every year for 10 years,” he said. “It’s not new to me to perform in front of big crowds, but this one felt special. It was for my school.”

Article added: Monday 02 June 2025