Last month, the organising committee for the competition told boys-only schools they would have to swap poi routines for mau rakau - performances using taiaha.

But that change has now been revoked, following Hato Paora's protest.

The original poi ruling, just a few months out from the finals in July, was labelled "incredibly unfair" by Hato Paora College, which is in the Manawatu.

Principal Debi Marshall-Lobb said last month that mau rakau had never been part of kapa haka at the college.

She added that a poi-based routine was already being practised for the finals by Hato Paora when the change was announced.

The organising body, the Kapa Haka Kura Tuarua National Committee, said the poi changes had been supported unanimously by representatives from 14 regions.

They were aimed at making the competition more inclusive by enabling collaboration between single-sex schools.

Under the initial rule change, boys-only schools would not be marked for poi performances if they chose to include them in their routines during the finals, to be staged in Hawke's Bay.

Hato Paora College complained to the committee that it had not been directly consulted over the proposed change.

The committee sought further feedback, and said it had subsequently received views from more than 190 schools.

Then it decided to give single-sex schools the option to perform either poi routines or mau rakau.

Committee spokesman Willie Te Aho said that, of 39 competing schools, only one had objected to the substance of the original poi rule change.

While consultation did not result in "an overwhelming, clear-cut" consensus, Mr Te Aho said, the committee's decision had been welcomed and "the focus now is on hosting a great festival".

Sources

• Radio New Zealand
• Stuff
• Image: Stuff

This Concert is the initiative of the Wellington-based Old Boys who have worked together with some Wellington based parents and current whanau to organise this event.

Apart from getting to see the two Kapa Haka groups perform their brackets, the focus is on promoting both schools and also as a recruitment drive.

The programme for the Concert is as follows:

• · 3.30pm - Powhiri for both schools
• · 4.00pm - Concert is opened with a Performance by the Ngati Poneke Young Maori Club - Junior section
• · 4.15pm - Turakina Maori Girls' College and address by Whaea Terehia Channing, Principal
• · 5.00pm - Address by Whaea Debi Marshall-Lobb and Old Boys
• · 5.30pm - Hato Paora Senior A Kapa Haka performance Read more

Both men were presented with honorary bachelor degrees in Maori performing arts.

Whakatane-based Maori tertiary institution Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi organised the symposium.

Programme co-ordinator for the Awanuiarangi bachelor of Maori performing arts, Rob Ruha, said Simon and Wehi epitomised haka excellence and cultural stewardship.

People from all over the North Island attended the day long symposium at the Rotorua Convention Centre on 5th November.

Morvin Te Anatipa Simon was born at Kaiwhaiki Marae on the Whanganui River.

He was educated at Upokongaro School and Hato Paora Maori Boys College before going on to study philosophy and sociology at Holy Name College in Christchurch and Maori language and Oral Literature at Victoria and Massey Universities.

Source

• Radio New Zealand
• The Daily Post
• Wanganui Library.com
• Image: Waka Huia