Flanshaw Rd School takes kapa haka to Rarotonga

Art influence:  Rarotongan artist Kay George, first on the left on back row, with the Flanshaw Rd School group including coordinator Diane Hobby, centre, and principal Cherie Taylor-Patel, right. 

By Rani Timoti

Kapa haka is bigger than ever at the Flanshaw Rd Primary School in Te Atatu South.Children there have been singing Maori songs, swinging poi and stamping out the haka for 19 years.

And group coordinator Diane Hobby says future generations will do the same.

The school's kapa haka group has just returned from a trip to Rarotonga.

Twenty-three students made the journey and performed at three schools, two resorts and an international sevens tournament. 

They also presented a book about their school called Our Place to artist Kay George who lives and runs an art gallery in Rarotonga.

Much of the artwork in the book and around Flanshaw school reflects her style.

"The kids were amazing and they set a high standard as representatives of New Zealand.  Everybody remarked on their behaviour and their intelligent questions," Ms Hobby says.

Most of the children will return to the kapa haka group next year and may perform with other Pacific school groups during an international education conference in January. 

 Western Leader