Greytown hosts Wairarapa REAP Kapa Haka Festival

Click to enlarge
Greytown School's kapa haka roopu

Press Release: Greytown hosts Wairarapa REAP Kapa Haka Festival

Many of the youngsters in Greytown Primary School's kapa haka group are only new to Aotearoa but already they are staunch kapa haka fanatics.

Teacher and tutor, Viv Lyster says kapa haka is a unique way of teaching young New Zealanders about their community's history - as well as the history of their nation.

"It means they will not only understand our history: they will hold it within them and know they are carrying a treasure that needs to be passed onto future generations," says Mrs Lyster.

"For our community is a way we can unite together, celebrating the stories of our area via waiata, chant and haka"

Fourteen schools are participating in tomorrow's festival that will see close to 500 children from throughout Wairarapa performing.

Sponsored by Wairarapa REAP, a unique feature of the event is the bid to have healthy kai mandatory: banning fizzy drinks and lollies from the site. Recycling bins will also be available and participants encouraged to be sustainable.

ENDS

© Scoop Media