The Sick Leader
A school kapa haka group is scheduled to perform at a tangihanga for a local kaumātua in two hours. The group has prepared a waiata ā-ringa and a haka. The kaitātaki (leader) for the waiata is a Year 13 student, Mere, who has lost her voice. Another student, Hemi, knows the words and actions but has never led the item and does not know the meaning of the waiata or the whakapapa of the person it was composed for. The group's tutor is away at another hui and cannot be reached. The group must decide whether to swap leaders, drop the waiata, or perform it with Mere lip-syncing. There are 16 performers. The tangihanga is at a local marae, and the group has been asked to perform as part of the pōwhiri.
1. What are the key considerations for deciding whether Hemi should lead the waiata?
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The key considerations are Hemi's knowledge of the waiata and its context, the appropriateness of the occasion (a tangihanga), and the group's responsibility to the kaumātua's whānau. Leading a waiata at a tangihanga is not just about knowing the words; it is about understanding the kaupapa, the whakapapa, and the meaning of the song. Hemi knows the words and actions but not the meaning or whakapapa. This is a risk because the waiata may contain references that are important to the whānau. However, Mere cannot sing. If Hemi leads without understanding, it could be seen as shallow or disrespectful. The group also has to consider whether the waiata is essential to their contribution. They could drop it and perform only the haka, or they could ask someone else. The time is short, so the decision must be made quickly.
2. Recommend a decision and explain how it affects the group's performance and responsibilities.
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The group should not have Hemi lead the waiata unless he can be briefed on its meaning and whakapapa in the next two hours. Given the tutor is away, the group could ask a kaumātua or another knowledgeable person at the marae for guidance. If no one is available, the safer decision is to drop the waiata and perform the haka only, or to perform the waiata with Mere lip-syncing only if that is acceptable to the whānau-but lip-syncing at a tangihanga is not ideal. The group's responsibility is to uphold the mana of the occasion and not to perform something they do not understand. Dropping the waiata may be disappointing, but it protects the group from making a mistake. The group should explain the situation to the whānau and apologise. This decision prioritises respect over completeness.