Last Thursday, the pride of Ōpōtiki College Kura ki Uta stood tall at Te Haka a Toi – Mataatua me Tākitimu ki Tauranga, the Bay of Plenty regional secondary school kapa haka competition.

Out of 13 disciplined and deeply talented roopu, they earned their place among four teams selected to represent the region at Ngā Kapa Haka Kura Tuarua o Aotearoa in 2026.

Beyond the polished performance lay a powerful story of teamwork, identity, and self-determination.

“This year felt different,” said one student kaitātaki (leader).

“We shaped our stand together. We were all working behind the scenes. Our input – our voices, our ideas – were what made the performance ours.”

A friend of the group, Hine Waitere, noted that the 40 students who took were the only group performing without tutors on stage, relying instead on the talent and presence of student guitarists to complement their performance.

Despite juggling sport, work, academic commitments, and for some learning poi for the first time, the rōpū built something special in just eight weeks.

Their smaller group size became a strength – allowing for deeper connection, tighter teamwork, and a shared sense of purpose, Ms Waitere said.

“We weren’t just performing,” one student added.

“We were honouring our matenui o Te Whakatōhea, o te waka o Mātaatua, and everything that’s brought us here. Kapa haka gave us that space to stand together and tell those stories.”

Guided by tutors Raha Mitai, Megan Tai and Piwiki Taranui-Kingi, who travelled from Rotorua each weekend, the students wove kaupapa, mātauranga, and whakapapa into every note, stance, and haka.

Their compositions allowed them to explore who they are, where they come from, and the legacies they carry.

The prizegiving was a rollercoaster of hope and uncertainty.

“As we listened to the placings being announced for each section, the tension grew. They named those who placed fourth, then third – and then, finally, our name was called; we got second. That moment was unforgettable.

“We sat there knowing all the work, all the late nights, had brought us to something bigger than ourselves.”

Ōpōtiki College leadership and the wider community have commended the group not only for their outstanding performance, but for the values they upheld – whakakotahitanga – every step of the journey.

“This is more than a kapa haka success story,” said Ōpōtiki College principal Andrew Lau. “It’s a celebration of student leadership, cultural pride, and the magic that happens when rangatahi are given the reins and wrap their arms around a vision.”

With nationals on the horizon, the college whānau is already buzzing with anticipation.

But for now, the legacy of this year’s rōpū is a reminder: when student voice is prioritised and identity is centred, great things unfold.