A group of tamariki are going viral after giving a kapa haka performance in Whangārei.
Posted to TikTok by u/i_stealurshoes, the video shows the seven or so kids giving an awesome kapa haka performance and being given crack-up introductions by what looks like their leader.
With nicknames like ‘the naughty one’ and ‘the cheeky fellas’, and simply by watching them perform, you know these kids are having a lot of fun doing what they do.
Commenters on the TikTok were blown away by the talent and the awesome display of Māori culture.
“Fuuuuu, here are our up-and-coming leaders,” wrote one person. “Neat alright, our beautiful tamariki.”
“I love watching these kids,” said another. “The confidence they hold!”
The clip was reposted by the Instagram account @maoriworldwide and many of those comments shared similar sentiments to those on the TikTok.
“The future of te ao Māori is in good hands!” reads one.
“I loved watching this. So many cultures/history dying with the elders,” another says. “It's great to see the younger generations learning and practising! I'd love to see this in person! For now, the videos will suffice!”
The group, who we think go by Whānau Manihera, teaches kapa haka routines across schools of all ages as well as perform routines at funerals, parties, weddings, and more.
Going viral is not new to them. In June of last year their performance of the historic ‘Toia Mai’ waiata at a school gained almost 75,000 likes after it was posted to TikTok by a former teacher of a few of the kids in the group.
And you can tell why - just listen to those harmonies and the power in their voice - truly talented tamariki. Kids delivering a kapa haka performance with such confidence and pride is inspiring.
