HIHA strikes balance between cultures old and new

November 9, 2011

HIHA strikes balance between cultures old and new

HIHA!, the celebration of this year’s work from CPIT’s Te Puna Wanaka (TPW) Faculty, brings traditional Maori and Pasifika culture into a modern context.

The performance on 10 November at 5.30pm in the TPW Wharenui includes moteatea (traditional chants), haka (war dances) and waiata (songs) composed by third year Bachelor of Language (Maori) students. TPW students will perform at the event for their family, friends and the wider community.

Te Manuiti (Manu) Whata, a final year student, said the event strikes a balance between traditional and contemporary culture. “We are trying to hold fast to history and bring it into a modern context,” he said.

Manu said the Bachelor of Language (Maori) programme had been challenging, but he is looking forward to pursuing a career taking an educational focus and working with Maori teens. “HIHA! is important for us because it shows our journey at TPW and gets the message out there that, despite the obstacles, you can get to the other side.”

HIHA is part of the Ignition creative festival at CPIT which showcases student achievements for the year with CATS by the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts, BEAT by the Jazz School, PITCH by the School of Fashion, FLICK by the New Zealand Broadcasting School, RIPE by the School of Art & Design and EXIT by the School of Architectural Studies. For more information see www.ignition.ac.nz.

ENDS