Local News for Local Communities
Issue 1,189
Thursday 19th June 2025
Phone: 03 318 7450 | Email: info@malvernnews.co.nz | Web: www.malvernnews.co.nz Got something Newsworthy? Let us know too!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
MATARIKI BRINGS COMMUNITIES TOGETHER
2025 Showquest Challenge Page 3
Matarkiki Lights Up Oxford Page 9
Local Martial Arts Competitor Page 11
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Some of the members of the Darfield High School Kapa Haka team: Lewis Peters, Mason Aselemo, Jai-Rue Nu’u, Leon Brostow, Xavier Rangi, Turoa Tahuhu and Levi Hewitt-Anderson. Photo by Sharn Nu’u.
Matariki in Malvern continues to be an incredibly special way to connect the community together to celebrate Matariki. Looking back and reflecting on the journey of the event from collaborating with Te Taumutu Rūnanga in 2018, the group is proud to continue to provide unique opportunities for the community to contribute, participate, and flourish. Rangatahi (youth) and tamariki (children) are leading the way with sharing their cultural learning through art, kapa haka, and other performing arts. This year, Malvern Ballet School dancers opened the performances with a specially choreographed dance for our event. Event Coordinator Kelly Maude on behalf of Te kapa o Matariki in Malvern says, “Ballet is an excellent platform for telling stories, and for this they explored telling a story about Matariki through their dance. The incredible kapa haka performances
from Darfield High School and our fabulous Malvern collective, Ngā Puāwai o Tawera, were filled with energy and mana.” Once again, the kai was a special time, with many commenting on how they were enjoying the lovely, chilled vibe as everyone sat and enjoyed spending time with each other and connecting over kai. Kelly says the kai journey is an amazing thing. ”From collecting everything from local businesses on Friday evening, getting the kai cooker prepared and cranking early in the morning, to the kitchen prep team working together intergenerationally with Darfield High School Head Students, Darfield Baptist Youth Group representatives, and volunteers from Darfield Residents Association all working collaboratively—just as it would be on a marae. It was wonderful to see.” Another kitchen crew then took on lifting the kai from the kai cooker, carving the meat, and serving—which allowed the youth to get ready for their speaking and performing roles on stage. “Jules’ delicious homemade soup from Simply Jules Catering was enjoyed by many too. We love that our event creates space to meet new people and catch up with people you don’t get the chance to see very often, it was lovely to see the connectedness in action.” Continued on page 9…
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