This week, we proudly celebrate our Hillcrest High School Kapa Haka Rōpū as our Student of the Week, a collective honour recognising the passion, mana, and dedication this group has shown throughout 2025.
Under the outstanding leadership of Whaea Maapihi, our rōpū has gone from strength to strength, embodying the values of kotahitanga (unity), whanaungatanga (connection), and manaakitanga (respect and care) in every performance.
This year, they have represented our kura with immense pride, performing to welcome students and staff from Ōtūmoetai College, leading a powerful opening at our Māori Success Evening, and captivating our community again at Senior Prize Giving. Each performance has been filled with wairua, precision, and emotion, leaving audiences moved and inspired.
Their ability to command a presence on stage, to perform with such authenticity and energy, and to tell the stories of our people through waiata and haka is something truly special. They remind us that Kapa Haka is not just performance, it is identity, pride, and connection to whakapapa.
We thank Whaea Maapihi for her unwavering commitment and leadership, and we congratulate every member of the rōpū for representing Hillcrest with such excellence. You have set a high standard for what it means to perform with heart, unity, and purpose.
Kia kaha, Kapa Haka, you make us proud.
All members of our Kapa Haka Rōpū were given a $15 McDonalds voucher supported by Parry Group of McDonalds Restaurants, Five Cross Roads, Hamilton East and Chartwell.
