Te Kura Taumata o Panguru, after only a couple of terms with the He Oranga Poutama Hip Hop programme, have been eager to learn more and fresh new styles of hip hop dance. With great support from teacher in charge Ani Tipene who has provided the students with the tools to practice in their own time. 

Whaea Ani has recorded Kaiwhakahaere Horrace Maunsell on the ipad each lesson and has then set it up for lunch time practices for her class during the week. Whaea Ani also participates in every class encouraging tamariki to give it a go and lead by example. “It’s awesome to see a Kaiako (Teacher) so passionate about giving our tamariki awesome opportunities and seeing the value in the hip hop programme” says He Oranga Poutama Kaiwhakahaere Horrace Maunsell.     

As a result of the increased opportunity to practice, in term four, Te Kura Taumata o Panguru were hosts to the inaugural North Hokianga Cultural Arts Festival of which six other schools from around North Hokianga (Year 1-13) came together to participate. This took place in front of a crowd of around 300 spectators at the local Marae, Waipuna Marae. The Kaupapa of this event was that each school was to present a 20 minute performance piece of their choice depicting the theme Te Ao Maori - expressed through performing arts. With a wide variety of acts throughout the day the talent showcased on stage was top notch.

Performing as a part of the entertainment, the tamariki of the Panguru hip hop group were excited to show the crowd their newly found hip hop skills. The tamariki were well received by the North Hokianga community and now Whaea Ani and the group will look to step it up to a competitive level this year and compete in the novice division at the Northland Regional Dance Championships in Whangarei early April. All the best Te Kura Taumata o Panguru.