Cambridge Middle School kapa Haka roopu
Te Roopu kapa haka o
te kura takawaenga o kēmureti
Since 2022, Kahurangi has led the development of the Cambridge Middle School kapa haka rōpū. Working within an intermediate kura presents unique challenges due to the one-year turnover of ākonga, meaning the rōpū must be rebuilt each year. Despite this, the group has continued to grow in confidence, skill, and cultural pride.
In 2024, she designed a kapa haka shirt for the rōpū to wear as a uniform while we worked towards raising funds for proper kākahu. That same year, the rōpū reached an important milestone by performing beyond the local Cambridge festival and participating in the Waikato Intermediate Middle Schools (WIMZ) Kapa Haka Festival hosted by Rototuna High School. Prior to this, the kura had only participated in local events and had not been involved in wider regional kapa haka opportunities.
In 2025, the rōpū received new kākahu that Kahurangi designed to reflect the identity and pride of the kura. I also introduced taonga whakairo as special acknowledgements for selected ākonga, recognising their commitment, personal growth, and development within kapa haka and te ao Māori learning.
This natural progression has continued to strengthen the kapa haka programme and its presence within the kura and community. In 2026, Cambridge Middle School will host the WIMZ Kapa Haka Festival— a significant milestone that reflects the growth of the kura collective and the strength of the kaupapa.
