Our class is having a cook off, My group decided for our entree a simple platter, Main – Big Mac Tacos, Desert – caramel slice, And our drink was a Choc Milkshake. first it was going well, Te Aroha and Wawa were on the caramel slices base, Me and Pey pey on the filling. BUT THEN. I started to feel sick and I just sat down for a while. Watching Te Aroha cut onions was PAINFUL. My nan came to pick me up. But the next day i asked my group what we placed and we came 3rd equal!! I was so proud, I just wish I wasnt sick though.

Kia ora ko Aubree Cook toku ingoa and I will be writing about my week in Whakatu or Nelson, along with my Kapa Haka roopu Nga Huiarau o Kawakawa.

My week in Whakatu was the best!! The moment I woke up at 2:00 in the morning I was pumped and so excited for the long bus ride. We arrived at the airport and we were off. We arrived and got on the bus to go to our place we were staying. We arrived at Mapua and unpacked before we went back down to the hall. The next morning we were up a bit early because we had the powhiri and we were going to see all the ropu. We met up with Horahora where I saw my cousin Rua Pounamu. We both went to the venue together. People from Nelson were on stage to powhiri us in. After what felt like forever it finished and we went back to Mapua.

The next day was Natz. We woke up super early and went down to the beach to do a karakia in the water. We all got ready and I was pumped. We were all dressed up in our kakahu and jumped on the bus, the moment we stepped onto the stage i felt the adrenaline rush. After our AMAZING performance we took photos and saw our whanau.

As soon as the next day came I was PUMPED because we got to swim in our pool at the lodge. It was freezing though. On Wednesday we went to the Fun Park. It had bumper boats, slides, and mini golf, they also had go karts but that was only for adults.

The next day Fridaywe performed for Mapua and they loved it. After that we went bowling and on the massive bouncy castle we went back and did our skits. They were hilarious!! We got a good night’s rest because the next day was our packup day.

On saturday we packed EVERYTHING up and for brekkie we had micky D’s. We said goodbye to Mapua and headed off.

My week in Nelson was the best and a good week to remember.

Te mana kuratahi 2023

Kia ora my name is Allen John. I live in the north island and it is pretty fun. My week in Nelson was fun. It was a really cool adventure me and my group went through.I’ve never been in Nelson before and I was surprised at how good it looked when we stayed in a place called the Mapua leisure park. The cabin that we slept in was spacious and comfy. I slept with my friends. They were pretty funny when it was bedtime.One of my friends told us a story and I would interrupt a couple of times and my friend would tell me to shush while we listened to the stories and then we would sleep.One day during the week we went into the water and it was freezing.At least the view was amazing. We were in the water. I was having a little fun while no one noticed I dug my freezing feet in the sand and I kind of liked it. Later on that day we did our performance and it was really quick. When we went through the performance, my lips started turning dry and bleeding.My mum had a photo of me during it and they saw my lip bleed. And when we saw it again I was like. “I didn’t feel like it was bleeding.”  We watched some other groups and te kura o horahora. I loved when we went around Richmond and the best parts are when we go to fun places like Te Mana Kuratahi and see the shops.There were times where we went to some places and ate there and my mum and dad came over and I joked around and they dropped me off the lollies that got snagged. I liked going around the place. The fun park was the best place. We went on bumpers and went down the slide. My family also came and I got a lot of ice cream and more and some food. Overall it was awesome. I haven’t had a better experience in the south.Then we went to the airplane and it was another flight. It was cool being in Nelson. We learnt about pakohe and everybody grabbed rocks and were told to put them away. Then we left from Nelson to Auckland.I hoped to see Nelson again.

I am Blogging about surfing.

My class and some of room 6 and 5 got the opportunity to go and learn how to surf. Matepuri  is where we went to go and learn how to surf. We went in groups and my class was the first group to go in and surf. I was so happy that i brought my own swimsuit because it was so cold but when we got in the water it started to get warm and not as cold and also everyone else had to wear swimsuits that weren’t as long there were pretty short but me and Noah had our own long ones. After our time was up it was room 6 and 5. We got out of our wetsuits and had lunch then it was the next group’s turn. It was such an amazing experience and I had so much fun and I would do it differently again.

On the 30th of october we stood on the Te Mana Kuratahi. There were alot emotions going on but I was mostly excited with determination to come top 10 in the placings. We walked to the beach to have a karakia in the water. It was such a cool and chill memorie. After that we had finished that kaupapa the girls and the boys split up into our own little stations to get ready for the stage. The girls went to the tutors room and the boys went to the hall. There were alot of people that were there to help get ass ready. When we finished, Qwayd brought everyone some sushi after we finished getting ready. A few moments later we had eaten and we were on our way to the atamira. When we arrived we had to wait in our waiting room. Well we were in there. We put on the girls piupiu and made some corrections to our kakahu. Then suddenly we got a call to come to the back of the stage. We were so pumped and ready for the stage and all emotions were high. When we finished we made our way outside when we saw our whanau and our supporters waiting for us outside. We took some photos, got changed and ran back to watch the last groups of the day. They were so amazing and so were we. After that louded up our bus and made our way back to our reservation in Mapua.

Kia ora ko Ben toku ingoa and this is how my week went down in Nelson. Down in Nelson the main idea was to get ready for Te Mana KuraTahi to perform for Te Tai Tokerau. But on the day we had to perform everyone had to wake up early and go to the beach, once everyone got there we had to hui te marama. After hui te marama we all had to put  half our legs in the water and do a karakia. When all the karakia was done we got ready and a while later we performed. Takz goal was to be in the top 10 but we came 12th equal. After our performance we got changed into our number 1’s and watched like the last 2 groups. When we were finished everyone was happy because  we didn’t have to do any more training. When we all got back, everything else we did was go to fun places and do fun activities, like go to this fun park and other stuff. Then on Saturday everyone packed their things, then everyone left for the airport, then to Auckland airport. After all that traveling me and some others got to leave with our families.

Te Mana kuratahi 2023 

Kia ora ko Nevaeh Riwhi-Moihi toku ingoa and this blog is about me along with my roopu Nga  Huiarau o Kawakawa going to Nelson and competing at Te mana kuratahi kapa haka 2023.

Last month on the 28th of October we left Kawakawa to go to Auckland Airport so we could catch the plane to Nelson. Our roopu had two flights and I was on the second. We made it to our reservation in Mapua, our reservation was 45 minutes away from Nelson!

Its D-Day, we woke up at 5:30 to go to the Moana and have a tohi moments after we went back to our cabins to have breakfast. We started to get ready at 8, the girls got ready at the beach house and the boys were in the hall. We then all did warm ups. We also sang a few waiata, after that we all got ready to go on the bus and make our way over to Nelson. We got into our waiting room and waited 15 minutes before we had to perform. We lined up and got ready to go on the stage. They acknowledged the Kaitataki and then we went on to perform. After the performance we all felt so relieved.

Here’s some photos

Kia ora ko Jojo toku ingoa

I’m gonna talk about the bake off that my class had. 

Our day started off by us going straight to the hall we had taumata and got straight into it.  The people in my group were Gabz, Damiiyan and Neveah. My group was making rice cakes, chop suey, cake pops and candied fruit. It was delicious. It took us heaps of tries but we still carried on(like when we burnt the chocolate)but overall it was so fun to do.

Monday 27th/23 We went to matapouri bay for a senious trip 1 girl had got left behind she came a bit to late we had already left we got on the road. We made it to hikurangi and we drove and drove we crushed the bus and we did end up with a dint we were algoods we finally made to the beach where there heaps of surfing life gurdes we got off the bus and we wait for whaea jess to let us of to get into our wet suit we went down on the beach for a talk about how to use hands for help and how to stand on the board.we hoped in the sea and we swimed swimed for a hour and a bit 10 hands mean 10 minuters 5 fingers mean 5 minuters and 1 fingers means 1 minuter we all hoped out and got changed well room 5 and 6 jump in. they had fun we had fun we packed up and left we all fell asleep on the back to school.

On Monday the 27th of November Some seniors got chosen to go surfing at Matapouri bay where there were people gonna teah us new and different skills and hot to surf. When we got to the bay we got split up in two groups wich were, Nga Rau Rangatira and a few others, and the other people from room five and six. We were the first group that went and we each got an hour and a half of surfing time. After getting split up we went over to the instrutors to put on our wet suits. Once all that hap finished we did some practice and got in the water. It was all fun at first and I was enjoying it untill I started getting smashed over by all of the waves. During the time of us surfing with all the big waves smashing against the sand, I had stood up on one wave out of the whole day but I was still happy because it was my first time and it was the biggest wave.

When our time was up Broughton and I stayed in the water to catch our last wave but by then all the waves were gone until there was a small wave that came and took us to shore. As soon as I got out my body felt frozen and my hands were shaking. But it wasnt too long till we took our wet suits of and went to the bathrooms to get changed. When we got back to the bus in our warm clothes there was food there for us to eat, but when everyone finished there food we all went seprate ways to play on the beach and do our own things. After playing I had gotten bored and found a stick and a peice of wood and I had the idea to play softball. So then I got four crocs to make the bases and we drew the pitchers box and an area for the batters to sit. At start there were only a few of us then it got serious and everyone else came in to join us. Before we were playing for fun then Whaea Toni and Roche, came to umpire because it was gettig intense. The longer the game went on the more people started to leave. Once the second group finished and they were dressed we had to go and pack up and when we were done I said a mihi to the instructors, and after Nevaeh started a waiata. While we were on our way home I threw a jersey over my face so that when I went to sleep no one could take photos of me while I was sleeping. When we arrived back at the school it wasnt long till hometime so we were just sitting around waiting for the home bell to ring.

I am blogging about our class bake off.

We had our class bake off last week on Thursday we had 6 teams of 4 and we also made our 

own menu.On our menu we had ontray,main, and dessert. On my group’s menu for ontray we made french toast then for our main we made spice Ramen and dumplings and lastly for dessert we made cookie pies they are chocolate stuffed in cookies that look like a pie. The process of making all the food was pretty hard and frustrating but most of all it was fun. I think my team came in 4th place and pleased 3rd in most of the things.In my group was keeara,arama,and cj.

Kia ora ko khiara/wawa toku ingoa.My bake off group was aubree te aroha peyton and me we place 4th overall our food was alright our big mac tacos were nice i guess.Our caramel slice was on point.our milk shake was chocolatey. My on tray was charcuterie board. My main was big mac tacos and dessert was caramel slice with a delicious chocolate milk shake it was alright we all had a good time baking.

Kia ora ko khiara/wawa toku ingoa.My bake off group was aubree te aroha peyton and me we place 4th overall our food was alright our big mac tacos were nice i guess.Our caramel slice was on point.our milk shake was chocolatey. My on tray was charcuterie board. My main was big mac tacos and dessert was caramel slice with a delicious chocolate milk shake it was alright we all had a good time baking.

Kia ora my name is Roxzaya.I am going to be blogging about me going on a National stage.

It was an amazing experience being in whakatu. We did so many amazing things and learnt a lot of beautiful things mainly about all of our waiatas.But the most beautiful and amazing thing that happened in whakatu for me was performing on that stage at mana kuratahi. It happened to be my first time performing on a National stage and will be my last sadly but Before we performed we had to get prepared and ready. We were staying at Mapua with a beach down to bottom for the week.It’s d’day we were woken up at 5.30 and had to walk down to the beach for karakia to open us up for the day and for our day ahead of us to be awesome. After our karakia us wahine went to the beach house where the tutor stayed and got ready for d’day.After getting ready we went out to meet up with the boys and had lunch and a quick talk before we left to mana kuratahi. Then we got on the bus and went to our waiting era. We only had to wait for about 20 min then it was our turn to jump on that stage and show them what Te Tai Tokerau was all about.Once i had hit that stage i felt so much emotions i think a bit too much but that’s alright. Finally coming off that stage I felt so happy and sad knowing that it is my last year performing on a National stage but happy because all our hard mahi and all our tiring wanangas had paid.

During my week In Nelson After my performance the next day we went to the fun park and we went to dinner for two nights and we went to the jump place. All those things were all amazing and fun. My whole week was fun I had such a great time in whakatu it was awesome.

It was really fun down in Whakatu with my friends and family i loved it especially when we preformed on the stage I loved doing the rakau and patu along side Kianni and latiyah.

Last thursday we had a cook off at school in the hall. We had 6 different groups of 4 and the four that were in my group were, Gabz, Nevaeh, Jojo, and Me. Each roopu had a different menu and way of cooking but we all did good. On our menu we had. Rice cakes, Chop suey, candied fruit, and cake pops. we all had to cook for 5 judges and we were the third group to present our food to them. Everything about that day was fun other then the cleaning of course. In our roopu each person had a different task and meal to do. Mine was making the chop suey and drying out the fruit. We had many fails in the beginning but we improvised and worked out how to fix it. one of the main stuff ups were that we added milk because we didnt know how to do it and we thought that it would make thinner. There were many changes that needed to be done that we could have done but we did it the way did because it was easier for us and it still worked. Before we knew it the time was up but another group was having trouble so I went to help them. All that they needed to do was cook there big mac tacos and plating and we felt pressured because everyone else was waiting on us but we finished before our last judge Takutai came. Whilst we were waiting everyone was doing last touches to there food and decorating there plates. But we were confident that we could win. As the time came for us to present our food we each took a plate each up to the judging table and then they took their first bite. By the time they finished we cleaned our tables and watched the other groups. After a while the judging wad done and it was time for us to clean the kitchen. That was the worst part about tht day because there were so much dishes and not enough room for all of us to fit. Once we were finished in the kitchen we came back out to see the overall scores. We ended up placing top three in everything and we were so happy but the thing we were waiting for was the last result. We ended up coming 3rdafter caremelicious, and Cookie muchers. 

I dazzle in the day and in the night I sparkle with the stars’ light. I come in all different styles. I belong on your wrist. I’m filled with vibrant colors and you can gift me to others. I’m adjustable and very trustable. I won’t break on you I promise. Don’t give me to a baby, I’m very elegant. I’m very tight, if i break, I’ll give you a fright.with my natural look  you can choose me out on a book.

At an early hour of the morning we all got woken up and we only had 5 minutes to get ready and get on the bus, but I’m not a morning person so I obviously took my time.  The bus ride was nice and peaceful because everyone was sleeping but it felt long. When we got to the Airport we had to wait a while . It took a while for our flight to come but we got there after  a while. The flight was alright but the main thing was that we got there.

The time leading up to the performance was fun but when it got to the day that was a different story
I felt all the rush when we walked through the doors standing on the side of the stage getting ready to represent our rohe and our whanau. I felt all the emotions I had ever felt and more, but I knew that I couldn’t back out now and it was too late so once I heard the Kaitataki and her calls I switched on ready to go. When I took my first step on to the stage everything was just normal like it was another top drop thinking about what we have been through this year made me think about this day and what would happen. I felt a rush of energy and wairua that just made me want to go as hard as I could not caring about what I looked like or if I got hurt. It was time for the whakaeke and I felt good, carrying on with the rest of the performance. We were going so good and then it ended. 

Our time to shine had finished and the performance was done. We left all the pain and tears on the stage and alot of peoples goals had been reached. Walking off the stage was the best feeling I had ever felt. When we walked out the door we had whanau lining up to hug the kids and to congratulate everyone. When I saw my whanau I didn’t waste time and went straight to them.

After everything and the performance we went out to dinner at speights ale house and it was so good. After the performance day we didn’t do much but chill and do a few performances for helpers and had some pool days. The main highlight of my week was singing happy birthday to Sandi because she was in a good mood and let us go for a swim. We had so much fun on our last few days but the best feeling was when I woke up to see that the bus that drove us home was parked outside of our school with all our whanau waiting out in the cold for us. In conclusion of my week in Nelson it was clear that me and everyone else who came had the time of their lives. And this is my week in Nelson.

    This week we have been making digatil art on our cromebooks i used tui birds,sun flowers,koru ferns kawakawa leafs, making it was very easy. I found placing the tui on the branch hard but other than that everything else was easy

Kia ora ko Jojo toku ingoa and I am writing about my week in Nelson.

My week in Nelson was really pleasant. I had a fun time with everyone and we did all the fun things in Nelson such as going to perform at TMKT 2023 and going to watch other groups perform. 

My most favorite thing was performing on the national stage and seeing everyone’s reaction to how amazing we are . 

But over all that was the best week ever.