Mana Wahine! Mentors Maisey Rika and Ria Hall

August 24th 2014
Students at Rotorua Girls High School and Papamoa College had an unforgettable week learning about the importance of creativity and identity, from the vocal forces behind the NZ #1 hit "Aotearoa."

Maisey Rika's songwriting workshop at Rotorua Girls reached across the curriculum, using a number of poetic devices to help students compose lyrics.

Teacher Marcy Stunell enthused," Maisey is an amazing role model for our girls and staff. She made it feel that it was ok to be who you were and to be proud of it."

Kapa haka featured in both Mentorships, with Rika a guest of honour at a performance by Raukura, whose members come from Rotorua Girls and Rotorua Boys - and placed 2nd at the National Secondary Schools competition this year. Hall, a long time member of national champions Te Waka Huia, told Papamoa College team members,

"Kapa haka has had a huge role to play in my musical career. It's enabled me to become a better performer, and to know - and to stand strongly - in who I am."

Student Eden George, who took part in Hall's songwriting workshop, commented, "It was really cool. I learnt a lot about how to compose and the different aspects of music and how to make it your own. Music is my everything. It was really cool today, Ria was kickback."

Information and Photo for this story supplied by Bay of Plenty Times  

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