Kapa haka celebrated at festival
The two-day event, which was to wrap up today, involved students from 37 primary and intermediate schools from around Tauranga Moana.
The 20th annual Ra Whakangahau kapa haka festival has been run at Bethlehem School with the support of the three hapu with links to the school - Ngati Hangarau (Peterehema Marae) Ngai Kahu (Wairoa Marae) and Ngai Tamarawaho (Huria Marae).
The festival was first held in 1992 with eight local schools.
Since then the popularity of the event has grown and it is now the major kapa haka event on the primary and intermediate school calendar.
The non-competitive festival is a chance for junior and senior kapa haka groups to perform for their peers and whanau in a supportive environment.
