Te Whare Tapere o Ngāti Toa

Te Whare Tapere o Ngāti Toa – the House of Performing Arts of Ngāti Toa – is the kaupapa that guides the kapa haka services provided to the community where Ngāti Toa resides. including the confederation of Āti Awa, Raukawa, Toa ki Wairau and Whakatū. 

Ko Ihaia Ropata ahau, but most people in my iwi and community know me as Cuzzy E and I am the founder of Te Whare Tapere o Toa Rangatira. For the past 15 years I’ve voluntarily composed, tutored and created waiata, haka and mōteatea within the world of kapa haka for my iwi and the wider Porirua community. The purpose has always been clear: to raise a positive profile of Porirua, invest cultural currency into our rangatahi, and help bridge te reo Māori and tikanga to both Māori and non-Māori across our city.

Currently, Te Whare Tapere o Toa Rangatira tutors four schools, one kaumātua group and two senior adult groups, all on a voluntary basis. What keeps this work moving is the aspiration to see our people stand confidently and proudly on the kapa haka stage, performing at their very best.

Alongside tutoring, Te Whare Tapere o Toa Rangatira facilitates workshops and collaborates with community networks to provide wrap-around cultural support. The aim is not only to prepare people for the stage, but to ensure they carry their culture with confidence, integrity and pride in their everyday lives.