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Paora Old Boys Choir Makes Stunning Debut Performance
at Charity Event
18 August, 2003
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On a very cool Sunday evening, typical of Wellington winters, 16 men, all Hato Paora Old Boys, arrived at St Peters and Pauls Catholic Church Johnsonville. They were there to support the Challenge 2000 Trust Charity. The Old Boys that had arrived however, were not
just there to watch. They were there to perform.
They were the newly formed, Hato Paora College Old Boys Choir,
comprising alumni spanning three decades: from the mid
to late seventies (Luke Crawford, Roger Fitzgerald, Peter Kalivati,
Henare Walmsley) the eighties (Hiiri Crawford, Rongo Larkin, Hone
Tibble, Kiina Noema, Atawhai Tibble, Marlon Hepi) the mid to late
eighites (Dempsey Broad, Waaka Poutu, Shane Peterson, Matthew Sword)
and the nineties too (Moka Apiti, and Whaitiri Poutawa).
| Paora Old Boys Choir Members |
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Challenge 2000 is a Johnsonville based, not for profit
organisation that works with and assists 'at risk' youth. Due to Luke
Crawford's role as a member on their Board, the Paora Old Boys Choir, established only 3 weeks earlier, had been invited
to sing a few items.
After a quick waiata practice outside in the cold - a fine Hato Paora tradition -
the Choir went inside the Church and took their seats. Luke commenced
the evening's proceedings with a Whakatau, after which the Old Boys Choir stood up to sing "Paora Nau Ra!"
After the local Priest blessed the gathering and the concert began.
Traditonally, church youth gatherings have been the training grounds
for future singers and actors, and this concert was no different. A number of young men and women, polynesian, Maori and
pakeha, performed for the crowd and did an outstanding job.
Then the Old Boys were called to the stage.
There was a degree of apprehension amongst some. The Choir
had only been together since the middle of July. They had only had three practices with material that, for many, was new.
Yet for others, like Dempsey Broad, who had never been to a choir
practice, it was just like being at school! (In fact, Dempsey was so confident, he placed himself in the middle of the front row!)
| Choir Members Sneak in Quick Practice |
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| Waaka Poutu, Whaitiri Poutawa and Henare Walmsley |
Luke gave a brief explanation and history of the College. He
spoke of the vision of the original founding Marist Priests, Fr. Gupwell and others. He talked about the
Marist Orders' committment and support for Maori education over the many years through establishing
and managing the College. He reminded everyone of the impact Fr. Delaney had on the boys and their singing abilities.
Atawhai then took the role of MC and explained the meaning of
each song, noting too the profound influence of Morv Simon on what is now know as the "Hato Paora sound".
The Choir warmed up with 'E Whawha'. Next was 'Inoi Koe'. Then they
leaped into items from the late eighties - 'Tirohia' and 'Te Maori'.
Shane Peterson took the lead for 'Tirohia', making his Mother,
Father, wife and kids proud. Kiina Noema, rumoured then
led Maranga Mai. For the grand finale, the Boys ended with
'E Tama' - a song written for Bishop Max's ordination as a Priest.
The crowd reaction was electric! The look on the Boys faces was one
of pride and accomplishment.
After a number of other strong performances, including the excellent
singing of Fr. Chris Skinner, the Karaoke Priest, the Boys returned to the stage to do the haka, 'Paikea'.
It was a great night. It was an amazing night. It was an awesome
debut. The spirit of Hato Paora, and the Priests, Kaiako, Matua and others who built that College were present.
And the Old Boys all wait with baited breath for the next event.
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| Porirua Mafia |
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| Rongo, Dempsey, Con & Hiiri |
THANKS FROM CHALLENGE 2000
Kia ora Koutou!
I have just spoken to Luke Crawford giving our heartfelt thanks for your participation in last
nights events - we wanted to contact everyone and Luke said this is the best way - if you could pass this on to everyone it
would be much appreciated!
Lots of good came from your presence last night - not only from the awesome singing but perhaps
more importantly there were some of our Challenge kids in the audience - kids who have a pretty tough reality - who saw and
felt the good.
From the bottom of our heart - thank you....
... Once again, thank you - and we look forward to many more performances.
Helen Robinson
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