Haka & chips

We followed our host into town struggling to keep up in the car. At Mangonui we found 'another' award winning fish and chip shop.

There were six staff.  A very friendly bloke served me and after hearing my accent

"what have you been up to today? A bit of sightseeing? "

He looked a bit surprised when I said 'painting' but everyone here knows wwoofing. We had snapper & gurnard. A smoked salmon and another fried one I cant remember.  It was gorgeous. If anyone knows a thin batter fish shop in Oxford then please let me know. Difference here is its cooked to order.

Then to the local school where there was a friday night music performance starting at 5 .30pm. $5 per adult and 4 wristbands later we were sitting in a pretty empty hall.

But it was fun enough listening to some talented kids singing with full rock band back up. Alternating with balding potbellied music teachers showing their skills on guitar.  The whole thing compered by an incredible 16 yr old with Michael Buffer levels of confidence and clarity who looked like Bob Marley crossed with a Mauri with hair out of Iron Maiden.

The school is mixed white and mauri and is quite different from cities and large towns that seem to be mainly white and affluent

Gorgeous butter chicken and rice too. So I am already thinking how enjoyable and unpretentious it is as everyone is having a relaxed good time as the acts amble along. Then when outside with the kids having a climbing frame break we see mauri kids in grass skirts getting ready

'Oh must be the finale coming up' I think not paying it too much heed

We head back in and the area infront of the chairs fills with kids in grass skirts. In a few seconds the lights are down and the excitement rockets as I realise this is something special. Thirty kids in traditional costume really really going for it with the traditional dances leading to the climax of the Haka.  

Esme and Rowan stop wanting to leave and push their way to the front. Each and everyperson is transfixed and fully absorbed in the unfolding performance.  A few audience are recording. I am thankful I have battery and space on the phone.

My limited knowledge of the Haka is as an international rugby union intimidatory tactic which seems quite effective. But here in an enclosed space it was so impactful

And these male teenagers are now really going for it with  hands that are shaking even when they are standing still. Beating and slapping chests. Crazy eyes about to pop out of their heads. Snorting. Holding poses that are difficult. They look ready for a defence of the accompanying girls. It was by some margin the most thrilling thing of our nz time and will be a trip standout overall. And so unexpected. They were practicing for a competition coming up so this was a performance practice. We left feeling charged up with energy and so lucky to have seen it

Video links will follow in a week once we can get it all up to dropbox