Tereora College had the blessing ceremony for their brand new set of drums yesterday in time for rehearsals for the upcoming ‘CITC Pump the Beats Emo’anga Tangi Kaara 2023’ drumming competition which will be held on 30th June.

The drum set was carved by experienced drum carver Miimetua (Mii) Simona and consists of five big pate (drum) three pau mango, one pau and 10 small pate and only took two weeks to complete.

Simona is a former student of the college and congratulated the school for embracing culture and teaching the students the skills of drumming and for participating in the Tangi Kaara.

“Please look after your drumming instruments, and use them to learn more skills of our culture,” said Simona.

Principal of Tereora College, Mona Ngaau thanked the Parents Teachers Association (PTA)  and Ministry of Education for their support in their request for the purchase of the drums for the school.

The CITC Brands Manager George Williamson is a “passionate” drummer and was happy to see that the college will have four drumming groups in the Tangi Kaara event.

“I am grateful to Principal and the PTA who have the vision to invest in these instruments. These instruments can take you to many places all over the world,” said Williamson.

Speaking on behalf of the PTA board, Curly Taripo said “it is important that we encourage our students to be part of our culture and having this new set of drums is an asset for our kids.”

“We have a unique culture and we have a wonderful presentation of drums… drums has this magnetic effect on everyone it makes you want to dance.

“We want to promote the skill and art of drumming for our kids, it’s a benefit for them, our teachers and our community, another good way of blessing our children,” said Taripo.

Thirteen drumming groups have entered the ‘CITC Pump the Beats Emo’anga Tangi Kaara 2023’ competition which will be held at the National Auditorium.

Tereora College will feature four teams in the Emo’anga Tangi Kaara who will represent their anau names Te Kou, Ikurangi, Te Manga and Maungaroa.

The seven primary schools are: Apii Avarua, Nikao, Arorangi, Rutaki, Te Uki Ou, Takitumu and Ioteava Peata; and Titikaveka and Nukutere College.

Tauranga Vananga (Ministry of Cultural Development) have circulated the “chant” to both the primary and the secondary schools to learn as well as the composed beats circulated to the primary schools.

Robert Ioaba, Tauranga Vananga’s National Events Manager said 13 drumming tutors have been allocated to the teams to assist with the tangi kaara requirements for the two sections in the event.