Onehunga High School

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Our Culture 

At Onehunga High School, culture is central to our belief that every learner should feel seen, valued and able to succeed. We are proudly diverse, with students bringing a wide range of cultural identities, languages and traditions that enrich daily life at our school. This diversity is one of our greatest strengths and creates a vibrant, welcoming community where everyone belongs.

We are committed to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the way we teach, lead and build relationships. This means ensuring that Māori culture, tikanga and perspectives are visible and respected across the school, and that all learners understand the significance of Te Tiriti in shaping Aotearoa.

Our focus on culture reflects who we are as a school: inclusive, connected and proud of the unique identities that make up our community.

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Kapa Haka

Kapa haka encourages cultural connection, whilst preserving the Māori language and customs. When Māori first started performing kapa haka on the national stage in the 1970s, we were confronted with the prospect that te reo Māori and tikanga were in serious decline. Kapa haka has played a large role in the revitalisation of the Māori language and Māori cultural values. It enhances positive well-being by encouraging a sense of belonging, providing opportunities to practice te reo me ōna tikanga, whilst reinforcing social collaboration and cohesion.

"Kapa haka creates a mobile, transferable tūrangawaewae. Our performers talk about their tū, their stand. The stage is a place for them to stand with pride, and to enjoy a sense of belonging, community, affirmation and identity." Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora

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Polyfest

Onehunga High School takes pride in performing every second year at Polyfest. As well as Kapa Haka, our students represent cultural groups from the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, Tonga as well as Diversity groups. 

Polyfest is an an important journey for our students to celebrate and share their culture. Polyfest arose from the vision of Auckland students, to demonstrate a student's pride in their cultural identity and heritage, and to bring together many different schools, as well as the different cultures. It gives Auckland Secondary School students the opportunity to express themselves through cultural performances and the experience of performing to a large audience. Polyfest provides an important traditional cultural dance experience for the Maori and Pacific Island community as well as the general public, increasing public awareness of culturally based dance art forms.