This Haka was composed by Henare Pairama and Rhema Jakeman for Waiuku College. It can be performed by any Waiuku College students to tautoko events, celebrate achievements and represent the kura. 

It describes the significant waterways around our kura: Te Maanukanuka o Hoturoa, which was connected via Te Pae o Kaiwaka and Te Awaroa to the Waikato River, an important trade route for both Maaori and early settlers to Aotearoa. Te Tai o Rehua is the sea on our west coast where the sun sets. These are the names of the four College Whanau. 

The Haka encourages our aakonga to stand strong and to pursue knowledge. It references three significant koorero: 

• The story of Tane's journey to obtain ngaa kete maatauranga - the baskets of knowledge (as depicted in the pou and whakaairo on the College's Whare Ma Toro). 

• The famous exhortation by Sir Apirana Ngata to Maaori youth to adorn their heads with the treasures of their ancestors. 

• The whakatauaaki gifted to the College by Riki Minihinniki, te tumuwhakarae (leader) of Ngaati Te Ata: "Whakapiki ake te tirohanga ki tua o Pae" - Set your sights beyond the horizon. 

This Waiata was composed by Rangi Harrison. It is in the style of a traditional moeteatea (chant) which describes a journey by waka from Te Puaha o Waikato (the river mouth), just south of Waiuku, all the way to its source at lake Taupo. Along the way people, places and events are recounted showing the significance of this awa as a source of life, connection and belonging. A full version of the waiata with English subtitles and images of the river can be found below. 

Here in Waiuku, we encourage our aakonga to learn the first verse of the waiata which connect us, via the Waikato river, to Tuurangawaewae at Ngaaruawaahia, the seat of the Kiingitanga.