About Us - Cultural

Kapa Haka Group
Kapa Haka Group performing
at the Tai Tokerau festival

Kerikeri High School students participate in a wide range of cultural activities. At the centre of this is our modern Performing Arts building attached to the school auditorium. Music and Drama are available as academic course options and many students are also involved with music outside of class time including the Jazz Band and various rock groups.

We have a strong Maori Culture Group, Te Roopu Kapa Haka o Te Kura Tuarua o Kerikeri, based in the school's own Whare Hui, Te Pou O Manako. They regularly welcome visitors to the school with traditional powhiri and are actively involved in both kapa haka and taiaha.

Powhiri
Powhiri to welcome new students

Speech Day is held once a year for each year level. All students present a prepared speech. The semi-finalists are selected and after further judging the finalists proceed to year level speech finals. Many also go on to compete in public speaking competitions such as Nga Manu Korero.

Kerikeri High School has several Debating teams participating in the Northland Secondary Schools' Competition. Our teams are consistently high performers with numerous divisional wins in recent years.

Kerikeri High School's sister school is Taikyu High School in Yuasa, Japan. There are student exchange visits each year.