“Flash Haka” Comes to Parliament

“Flash Haka” Comes to Parliament

WELLINGTON – Nga Wahine Tāwhito o Turakina is happy to announce that it will host a “flash haka” at Parliament with supporting MPs to raise awareness and celebrate the achievements of Turakina Māori Girls College.

The Ministry of Education announced recently it was consulting on a proposal to close the 110-year-old Marton school, as the roll had dropped in recent years and it had struggled financially.

In a live filmed event being dubbed "Maranga Mai Turakina," a crowd of old girls and supporters from across the country, including former students of other Māori Board Schools, are expected to journey to Wellington to perform the famous women's haka Ka panapana.

"We strongly recommend that the Ministry of Education defer any final decision on the future of Turakina until a meeting has been convened with our organisation, which brings together alumni from Auckland, Rotorua, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington and other cities. We hope to discuss our solutions and strategies to reinvigorate Turakina and keep it open for another 110 years," said President Hemaima Eichstaedt.

A mystery celebrity guest will co-present the groups collation of submissions to Hon Hekia Parata as part of the event.

"Plans are afoot to save Turakina Girls' College from closure and we hope to show the Minister that the school has a great support base. We also wish to pay tribute to her and other MPs who we are inviting to join our flash haka event," added Mrs Eichstaedt.

"We also want to send positive messages to the whanau whanui of Turakina by shaking up the halls of Parliament and getting the word out there through social media," added Mrs Eichstaedt.

After the “flash haka”, students will be providing information about the group's submissions and answer questions that people may have about the future of Māori board schools.

The "flash haka" is being filmed as part of the schools Maranga Mai Turakina social media campaign.

What: “Flash Haka” on Parliament Forecourt
Youtube link: Ka panapana
When: Thursday, September 10, 2015 – Noon

ENDS

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