Te Tahawai (Edgewater College) from Pakuranga celebrates their 25th Jubilee Anniversary this year.,an added bonus for Te Tahawai this year is the Kapa Haka group - TE TAHAWAI.(TAHA meaning EDGE and WAI meaning WATER.
"Whaia te ara o Tainui" is the school motto for Edgewater College, the inspiration comes from the Tainui people who journeyed by canoe up the Tamaki River to the Manukau Harbour. In doing so they displayed courage, vision and endurance - all qualities worth striving for
There tutors are Darren Warren an ex pupil Ngapuhi/Tainui,Ngāti Whatua and Ngamira Hodges from the island of Atiu/Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, and is also of English descent.
1.35'.48" - 1.38'.00" Whakaeke or entry comprises two seperate items.The first "Koutou Ma I Te Po" a lament.the second "E Te Mana" which is done in Haka form.Both items were composed by Muriwai Ihakara, leader and tutor of the Sydney based Kapa Haka group - TE HUINGA WAKA.
1.38'06" - 1.41'.28" A short mihi of welcome by Anaru Akew, followed by their Waiata-Tawhito "E RUA ANA" composed by Darrens Ngāti Whatua whanau, means earthquakes and thunder are the beginning signs of stormy weather, and if we as people are not careful and do not retain our language, we could look forward to self destruction. This item was lead by Melanie North from Rotorua.
1.41'.30" - 1.45'.25" The Waiata -a-Ringa or Action Song "Na Te Mea" was composed by Ngapo and Pimia Wehi.It is with deepest sympathy that " Te Tahawa" perform this action song in rememberance of the late SIR KINGI MATUTAERA IHAKA.
1.45'.35" - 1.47'.32" POI . Te Tahawai had a medley of tunes which are well known throughtout the Auckland region. The Poi begins with an ancient karakia pertaining to the Takitimu waka, followed by a tune composed by Sonny Abraham entitled "Kiko",followed by Te Waaka Melbourne "Ka Tangi Te Titi", finally " Kiwi Weka belonging to Waikato.
1.47'-40" - 1.50'.17". Haka Taparahi "I HOE" composed by Muriwai Ihakara which is led by Leroy Ngamu.
1.50'.22" - 1.53'10" The WHAKAWATEA or Exit is in two parts, "Aue E Te Iwi" a waiata composed by Muriwai Ihakara, acknowledges that this is there final item.The second part a Peruperu is performed with the Rakau or Stick entitled "Ko Te Peru".