This year’s national secondary school kapa haka competition has revealed the significant impact of kapa haka on students, particularly those in kura kaupapa Māori or kura-ā-iwi.
Healthy Families Rotorua systems innovator Te Raipine McLeod attended the 2024 Ngā Whakataetae Kura Tuarua in Nelson in June, where three Te Arawa kura competed. She interviewed rangatahi and rangarua (26-plus) from throughout the motu and compiled an insights report on her findings.
Te Raipine said her interviews revealed that kapa haka is more than a cultural activity for many young performers.
“Kapa haka offered students an escape from their daily lives. It gives them social influence, confidence, self-worth, and incentives contributing to their success,” she says.
Despite these benefits, Te Raipine says those she interviewed shared the view that the value of kapa haka is not fully comprehended within Aotearoa.
“Kapa haka has been proven to enhance health and well-being by understanding mātauranga Māori and experiencing the physical and spiritual aspects through Māori performing arts. Most iwi in Aotearoa use kapa haka to revitalise kōrero tuku iho, and each performer on stage becomes a storyteller,” she says.
Many people Te Raipine interviewed believed kapa haka contributed to the confidence and mental well-being of rangatahi through identity, giving them a sense of belonging.
“It connects them to their Ao Māori and to their atua Māori, to their whakapapa. It speaks to who they are, and it’s also something that they do collectively, so they’re a team member,” said one interviewee.
“The greatest benefit of kapa haka is the confidence you gain by standing, learning and how much you learn about Te Ao Māori, especially if you didn’t grow up in it,” said another.
Te Raipine’s insights report also highlights the crucial role of policies in supporting cultural practices such as kapa haka in educational institutions and communities.
“By prioritising cultural and identity building and allocating resources, these policies ensure sustainability and accessibility for rangatahi. The practices associated with kapa haka, such as regular rehearsals, performances, and cultural teachings, are important for participants’ cultural pride, identity, and holistic development.
“High-quality and consistent engagement in these practices contributes significantly to positive outcomes for youth involved in kapa haka. The resources create access and enhance the overall quality of kapa haka experiences. Building strong relationships within kapa haka groups and with community elders creates a sense of belonging, support networks, and cultural continuity among rangatahi Māori.”
Te Raipine says greater societal recognition and support are essential to fully realising kapa haka’s potential in promoting Māori youth development and cultural revitalisation.
“Policies that continue to prioritise and invest in kapa haka are crucial for ensuring its enduring impact on participants’ lives and their communities, emphasising the broader societal benefits beyond its cultural significance,” she says.