From 7-8 September, Ōtākou Marae was alive with the sound of laughter, waiaita and haka as we hosted Te Mua Upoko cultural rōpū from our three local primary schools – Portobello, Broad Bay and Macandrew Bay.
The rōpū were hard at practice for the Otago Polyfest arts and entertainment event for all Otago schools and preschools, which was held from 15-18 September at the Edgar Centre in South Dunedin.
Each day featured performances from different age groups with tamariki involved from across Otago, including Te Mua Upoko and Kā Puananī o te Reo.
The final night featured secondary school students from Waitaki Boys’ and Girls’, Otago Boys’ and Girls’ and Kings and Queens High School of whom our rangatahi/teenagers participated. The Bayfield High School kapa haka team included Erena Russell-Harris, William Dawson, Makareta, Koreana, and Te Hori Wesley-Evans.
Ōtākou tamariki who participated in Te Mua Upoko were: Ella and Taiaroa McDonald, Hinehauweka Sarah, Arlo Hedley, Mihiata Wesley-Evans, Sarah and Hanna Langsbury, Ripeka, Timoti and Tuki Potiki, Joe and Jacob Parkinson, Te Waipunahau and Iwikau Te Aika, and Tristan Taiaroa.
Te Mua Upoko getting ready to perform.
Te Mua Upoko up on-stage.
Ella Taiaroa and Sarah Langsbury.
Kā Puananī o te reo.
Kā Puananī o te reo.