About a hundred students and parents of Apii Takitumu, Apii Arorangi and Te Uki Ou participated in the annual Highland Paradise Cultural Competition yesterday.

Teuira (Tutu) Piragi, managing director of Highland Paradise, said they were very happy to host the competition for the 10^th year, despite missing out some years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, she was disappointed that only three schools joined the competition this year.

“For us, it’s wonderful and you can see we only got three schools, which is quite disappointing. But never mind. At least it’s a start for the cultural competition.”

Piragi added that they would love to have this cultural competition included in the education curriculum and become a regular part of their programme.

Ministry of Cultural Development reo Maori advisor Raemaki Karati said the students did a fantastic work preparing the umu – the traditional way, weaving, and taking part in coconut husking.

“It’s just awesome to see the kids being involved, and being taught about these little things about our culture, and our language also. I have spoken in Maori all day.”