On a cold and rainy Tuesday evening, warmth radiated from the Berkley Wharenui as our amazing Berkley whānau gathered for our very first kanohi ki te kanohi (face-to-face) hui. Despite the weather, the turnout was exceptional—proof of the strong connection between our kura and community.

As our whānau arrived, they were welcomed by our kapa haka rōpū with waiata and warm cups of tea and coffee. We opened the evening with our school karakia, followed by some brief admin updates, before sharing a delicious kai together. With waiata filling the room, the atmosphere was set for a night of togetherness and pride.

The hui had two key purposes:

First, to introduce our support team: Whaea Awatea, Matua Ethan, and Mr. V. Each spoke about their roles within the school and how they contribute to the growth of our tamariki.

Whaea Awatea leads our kapa haka and supports both staff and students in their Te Reo Māori journey.
Matua Ethan oversees our kura-wide Te Reo Māori programme, helping build both learner capability and teacher capacity.
Mr. V connects whānau and kura through his culturally responsive practice and pastoral care role.

Together, they form a dedicated team committed to nurturing our students as learners, performers, and confident young people.

The second purpose of the evening was to introduce our new performance bracket—the waiata and haka that form the heart of our kapa haka performances. Whaea Awatea, alongside members of the rōpū, explained the meaning behind the pieces and the cultural significance of their inclusion. Their passion and pride shone through as they shared the stories behind the songs and haka.

The floor was then opened for whānau to share their thoughts, and three parents stood to express heartfelt mihi. All spoke of their immense pride in their tamariki and the growth they had witnessed through kapa haka.

To conclude, our kapa haka rōpū delivered a breathtaking performance—full of mana, power, and grace. The crowd was moved and inspired, and many commented that it was the best performance they had ever seen.

A huge mihi to everyone who attended and helped bring this special evening to life. To those who worked behind the scenes, provided kai, or simply came with open hearts—ngā mihi nui ki a koutou.

“E ora ana te ngākau i te mihi – The heart lives in gratitude.”