On Wednesday 2 April 2025, Sancta Maria College’s Kapa Haka students had the amazing opportunity to visit ASB Polyfest held at the Manukau Sports Bowl. This annual event gave these students an opportunity to be exposed to competitive level Kapa Haka, with the aim of helping enhance their future performance skills.
We all started off the day by meeting in BG4 at 8:15am, before we departed, we said a Karakia, thanking God for this amazing opportunity and praying for good weather.
We then departed onto the bus, which was filled with busy, excited chatter. Once we arrived, we headed straight to the Māori Stage, watching many schools perform, bringing in more and more of a crowd. We were waiting for Marist School to finish their performance, to support them by performing the Haka, Tika Tonu. The time came and we performed the haka with pride, in admiration for Marist School!
Soon after, we gathered into our groups so that we could explore Polyfest grounds and their six different stages and the diversity, all of them showing us their rhythm, colour, and spirit. After exploring the stages, we headed straight for the stalls, with their whopping 126 stalls, selling merchandise, food, or drinks! With our hunger being fulfilled with the delicious variety of food, some of us headed back to watch some of the different groups perform at the other stages.
After a day full of learning, cheery faces, and lots of fun, we hopped back onto the bus, returning to school.
Despite a few drizzles, this day was such an extraordinary experience for our amazing Kapa Haka group. A huge thank you to Mrs. Hiddleson, and Mrs. Croxford for all their support on this day.
