Manu Korero 2009

This year for only the third time, St Thomas' has entered speakers in Nga Manu Korero Maori speech competitions. Regional competitions were held in Ashburton with TeOne Kahu and Tana luke entering the senior English and Junior Maori sections respectively. TeOne spoke with much passion and the performances by all young men that attended in the haka tautoko after each speaker was something to be proud of. TeOne was up against stiff competition but only just missed out on a placing. Tana, who is new to the College this year, took out top honours in his section, winning the Waitaha (Canterbury) and Aroaki (Mt Cook) competitions.

This was just the start of what would be a new and exciting journey for whanau, staff and students alike. Winning your section makes you allegeable for national competitions which were held in Rotorua in September. Fundraising started immediately with grant applications being made to which we need to thank Riccarton Youth Trust for their support to fund accommodation and Sovereign Trust for flights, mini vans and piu piu for the group. We ran a hangi, movie night and sold fudge, all of which made considerable profits which subsidised the trip. We flew to Auckland and drove down to Rotorua stopping firstly to pay respects to the kingitanga (Maori Queen and former king).

While all the boys were excited about the week ahead, what they would see, hear and be a part of, Tana remained focused knowing he was about to deliver one of the biggest performances of his life. Everyone got settled in, and every spare minute was spent practising haka, focusing and learning about the customs and traditions of the area. The boys were lucky enough to attend a night at Metai village which is a traditional Maori village show casing local customs, traditions and traditional Maori living. While everyone was enjoying themselves Tana was away in Tauranga with whanau having last minute adjustments to his speech and remaining focused. The Thursday quickly came around of Tana's speech. The pride, passion and mana Tana delivered his speech with was equal to that of what I remember in inter-college rugby matches. He had done himself, college and whanau proud and it made all the effort worth while. He had competed with the best from all over NZ and ended up with the 5^th position over all. But Tana was not alone, immediately following his speech the group of young men that were on stage delivered a magical moment for St Thomas' and for all whanau that had contributed to the event. It would be the first time the new College Haka had been performed in public and they turned it on, turning heads and putting St Thomas' on the radar for future events.

There a few people who require special mentions and thanks;  the entire whanau who attended with us and put so much time into helping us, The whanau support with fundraising, Trudy Murdoch for handling the finances, Wira and Rena Viliamu for all your support and hard work,  Koro Mita for sharing your knowledge with us, other attending Canterbury schools in particular Whanua Tahi for all your guidance and assistance with Tana and finally the College support and encouragement of participation in Manu Korero. This will no doubt be remembered by all who attended and for a long time. Well done boys, and especially Tana, as an Old Boy and staff member you were all a pleasure to work and go away with, you wore your uniform with pride and acted like fine young Maori role models. The best of Maoridom was on show that week and you were a credit to the college and your whanau.

By Michael Bendall   Maori Coordinator