Is Kapa Haka Good For You?

Hmmm.. What culture am I? What did they do in the old days? Should I be in Kapa Haka? Do you ever have some hmm’s and REALLY want to find out what culture you are? I sure do, but this isn’t about me, it's about you! If you're STILL wondering if you want to join Kapa Haka well, keep reading this piece because here are the benefits and some of the reasons about why YOU should join Kapa Haka.

Firstly, it’s not just Maori students who benefit from Kapa Haka. Potentially all New Zealand children can benefit because Kapa Haka provides a pipe to learn to appreciate the unique and amazing role of Maori for shaping our NZ land and identity. Through Kapa Haka in schools, non-Maori children can learn new words and phrases, while developing appreciation for everyone for being them and being unique. Kapa Haka has an open door for Maori and non-Maori students so that they can access the Maori world and be connected learners. The best reason yet is that kids don’t need to have the best ever singing voice because the group carries them on. Nor do they need to be superbly coordinated while dancing, there is a place for EVERYONE and the most important thing is that there's a place for you, yes, you!

Secondly, doing Kapa Haka gives the students confidence because of performing. Their confidence becomes stronger and SOOO many students feel that they are so much more powerful and they feel ready to take on anything life throws at them! This is great because if the student keeps doing Kapa Haka they will most likely grow strongly and be able to stand up for themselves. Confidence is really important as well, maybe when they're older they will have to say something in front of a lot of people or maybe even just at the same age that they are now, I bet you $10 that getting that confidence and doing Kapa Haka will definitely come in handy during their life. Kapa Haka also provides a strong and powerful environment, it's disciplined and also provides positivity. They don’t bring each other down, no, they don’t, they bring each other up which makes students feel AMAZING for who they are.

Lastly, Kapa Haka is important, especially to New Zealand because it shows culture and shares who we are, what we do, how we got here ETC. Kapa Haka is unique to Aotearoa and it's a very special global identifier, as no other nation on earth has a form of performance like Kapa Haka does. Kapa Haka ties Aotearoa and its culture together with its rich heritage that is threatened to be forgotten if not preserved, studied or practiced. It is an art form and holds great cultural significance to New Zealand, it is the sole embodiment of what is to be Maori and the life that is led by the people.

As you can see, Kapa Haka is AWESOME for learning and happiness. It is for everyone and anyone who wants to know more about what culture they are, How they got here and if they are ready to take on the world.