Inter-house Haka Competition 2026

Written by Harry McDonald, Communications Prefect:

This year's house Haka competition truly brought out the fierce rivalry embedded in each house. Unlike house athletics, where points are awarded for speed and strength, house Haka tests each house's timing, voice, and mana as a group.

After weeks of practice, last Wednesday brought the big day. Last year's Haka champs, and strong favourites Gilray were up first. Well led by Kaea Jed Crawford, Gilray’s tempo was on point. Everyone was on time, and it was a spectacle to watch. They would be very hard to beat.

Next up was champions of athletics, Balmacewen. After a last minute Kaea switch, Mikae Hape stepped up to lead his house. Unlike Gilray, Balmacewen struggled a little with timing. The seniors up the front were a little fast, and the juniors down the back were a little slow. Despite volume not being an issue, onlookers described the haka as an echo.

Third up was Burns. The reigning Elvidge Cup champs were looking to make a stamp on this year's Haka competition. Led by Kaea Jonny Hunter, the Burns Haka was ferocious. If the Haka was judged on volume, Burns would have been clear ahead. Unfortunately for them, it is not, and the accuracy of the actions from a few boys turned out to be a problem.

All that was left was Ross. After coming dead last in the athletics, Ross was hungry for redemption. Unlike any other house, Ross formed an arrowhead formation, wore their ties, and Kaea Jonty Ellis wore his blazer. They looked the part, but they definitely had the performance to match. When it came to the judging Balmacewen came 4th, Burns in 3rd, Gilray in 2nd and Ross in 1st.

What followed was a true highlight for the year, the full school Haka. Jonty Ellis was the kaea in what was a fantastic show of mana. A huge shoutout to judges Neihana Matiu and Karyn Paringaatai, as well as Whaia Clark for running such a special event.