The Persistent Student (Day 3)
In a small town on the North Island of New Zealand, there was a young Māori student named Te Rangi who lived with his whānau in a rural area. Te Rangi was a high school student, studying for his NCEA qualifications, and he had a particular passion for performing the haka—a traditional Māori dance that his iwi (tribe) had been practicing for generations.
Te Rangi was also a member of his school’s kapa haka group, a team that performed Māori cultural songs and dances for various competitions and events. However, unlike many of his classmates, Te Rangi wasn’t raised in an urban environment where Māori language and traditions were easily accessible. He had learned haka from his kuia (grandmother) and his uncle, but he was aware that many of the other students in his kapa haka group came from whānau that were more involved in te ao Māori (the Māori world) and were better at mastering the haka and te reo Māori.
The school year was coming to a close, and the big regional kapa haka competition was approaching. Te Rangi felt the pressure. He knew his group had strong performers, but he was worried about his own ability to perform well under the scrutiny of judges, especially when it came to the solo haka part of the competition. This section of the performance required deep emotional connection, precision in movements, and the ability to lead with confidence—skills Te Rangi was still developing.
One week before the competition, something unexpected happened. The kapa haka group’s tutor, who had been guiding them for months, fell ill and could no longer lead the group. The students were told they would have to perform without their tutor, and the responsibility fell on the shoulders of the older students in the group, including Te Rangi. They would have to organise their own rehearsals and make sure everything was ready in time for the competition.
Most of the students were worried and frustrated. They felt like they had lost their guide, and many of them struggled to stay focused. Te Rangi, however, decided that he wasn’t going to let the situation stop him. While the others were distracted by the uncertainty, he started staying after school to practice his haka on his own. He would go to the marae (Māori meeting house) in the evenings to connect with the land and the spirit of his ancestors, seeking the strength to improve his performance.
He practiced the haka over and over, refining his movements, listening carefully to the words, and even studying the history and meaning behind the chants. He sought advice from his uncle and aunties, who taught him the deeper significance of the haka beyond the movements—the emotional strength, the mana (prestige), and the connection to whakapapa (ancestry).
On the day of the competition, Te Rangi was ready. When it came time for his solo haka, the crowd was captivated. His movements were sharp, his voice was strong, and his eyes burned with the confidence and pride that only someone who had connected deeply with their culture could express. He led the haka with such conviction that the audience felt the spirit of his ancestors rise with him.
In the end, his school didn’t win first place at the competition. But Te Rangi’s performance stood out, and he was praised by the judges for his commitment to his culture and his ability to overcome adversity. His classmates, who had been doubtful and distracted, were inspired by his persistence and determination. They, too, began to practice harder, and the group as a whole performed better than they had imagined.
While Te Rangi didn’t walk away with a trophy, he left the competition with something far more valuable: the knowledge that perseverance, hard work, and dedication to his roots had led to a performance that he could be truly proud of. He had earned respect from his peers, from the judges, and from himself.
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Moral of the Story:
Te Rangi’s success came not from being the best dancer or having the most natural talent, but from his dedication to improvement and his unwavering focus. His story teaches that no matter what challenges or obstacles one faces, if you persist and put in the effort, you can overcome them and grow stronger. Whether it's in the haka, a classroom, or any other aspect of life, persistence and dedication are the keys to success.
Worst Xmas ever?
There's a a lot of planning that goes into Christmas day and sometimes things just don't go to plan. But it can be a good thing - a family mishap or hilarious memory that you can laugh about in Christmases to come.
Whether you burnt the dinner or were stranded at an airport...
Share your Christmas mishaps below!
⚠️ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. ⚠️
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
👉 The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50°C in less than 15 minutes.
👉 Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
👉 This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
👉 It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you ❤️