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This Week’s Issue

Charity concert – response to letter

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September 9, 2025

The Kapa Haka group had to put away their taonga after their performance.

Left: These girls were in the Kapa Haka group and stayed at the concert after changing. Right: Dave Mulholland, music teacher provided technical and instrumental support at the concert.

In response to letter “Disappointed at early walk out from concert” The Informer issue 1172 (see here).

Thank you for your feedback regarding the recent charity concert.

I appreciate you attending the event to support our students and for your kind words about the Kapa Haka group’s performance. They have been working incredibly hard, and their dedication was evident in their polished and powerful performance.

I understand your misinterpretation at seeing a portion of the audience leave after the opening performance. I want to assure you that this was not due to a lack of respect for the other performers.

On this occasion many of our Kapa Haka members are young, with some being in Year 5 and 6. Being a school night it is understandable for whanau to get home at a reasonable hour before school the next day. For many of our whānau, attending means bringing young tamariki, kaumātua, and extended family members. Late nights can be challenging, and whānau sometimes need to depart once their child has performed. Following the performance, many whānau are needed to awhi – helping our tamariki change out of their piupiu and uniforms, carefully packing these taonga away. Many of our older students, along with their whānau, then returned and supported the entire event once that process was complete. We do this in line with our tikanga.

It is our clear expectation that students do not remain in kapa haka kākahu once their performance is complete. These are not everyday uniforms — they are taonga that represent who we are and carry deep cultural meaning. They must be worn with dignity, treated with care, and packed away properly after use. Remaining in them for long periods, such as sitting in the audience, risks damage, discomfort, and diminishes the mana of these garments.

We share your belief in supporting all of our young people, and it was certainly no one’s intention for anyone to feel disrespected.

Thank you again for your continued support of our students.

Ross Dunn, Principal / Tumuaki, Mercury Bay Area School