In possibly their best ever performance, MAGS’ Kapa Haka group placed sixth in Division 1 this year.
After the cancellation of the last day of Polyfest due to the Christchurch shootings, the rescheduled competition last weekend was renamed Te Pou Herenga o Kia Aroha.
Due to the postponement, this year’s campaign consisted of nine weeks’ worth of training, including Tuesday and Wednesday practices from 3.45pm-9pm, all-day Waitangi Day and 6 live-ins from 6.30pm Friday night through to 1pm on Sunday afternoon.
Seventy two students trialled for the group; 50 made the performing team and 15 were reserves.
HoF Te Puna o Wairaka Waimirirangi Paul said, “Overall, we placed sixth out of 13 groups in Division 1, and roughly 52 groups across all three divisions at the competition. We were only five points away from fifth place. This is the best overall aggregate placing MAGS has received, to my knowledge.
“Overall, the comments received from the judges were very positive and some even implied that they thought we would qualify for nationals. However, such is the fate of a competition this tight! The students, wider whānau and us, the tutors, were all extremely proud and happy with the outcome and look forward to next year’s campaign.”
Breakdown of judging:
| Non-aggregate sections/items: | |
| Waiata tira (Choral piece) | 9th (4 pts off 8th) |
| Manukura wāhine (Female leader) | 3rd equal (4 pts off 1st place) |
| Manukura tāne (Male leader) | 3rd (2 pts off 1st place) |
| Kakahu wāhine | 7th equal |
| Kakahu tāne | 2nd (1 pt off 1st) |
| Mau rākau (Co-Ed use of the rākau sticks) | 3rd equal (4pts from 1st) |
| Aggregate sections/items: | |
| Whakaeke (Entrance item) | 5th equal (3 pts off 4th) |
| Mōteatea (Traditional chant) | 6th |
| Poi (Poi dance) | 5th (1 pt off 4th place) |
| Waiata-ā-ringa (Action song) | 6th equal |
| Haka (Māori cultural war dance) | 4th (3 pts off 3rd) |
| Whakawātea (Exit item) | 5th (2 pts off 3rd) |
| Mita o te reo (The command/use of te reo Māori; incl. clarity and diction – accurate/fluent pronunciation) | 7th (4 pts off 6th) |
