The evening began with a beautiful Solo Dance Performance by Lottie Tahi, the talented Nemo Yongchareon on piano and Levi Trail on Sax and the incredible Level 3 Dance.

This year, the nominees for Te Taumata Toi were....From left to right:

Talula Euini-Pio
Talula has been an outstanding performer in Dance and Drama throughout her years here at Waitakere. She was a leader of Year 13 Dance choreography 'Tatau' for Youdance (Secondary Schools Dance Festival). She competed at Blueprint Hip Hop Comp as part of 42 Connect and Varsity 2021, 2022. Talula was a member of the Samoan Group over her years here and has also performed in other cultural groups on Language weeks. She was a Pasifika Sisters United Leader / Dream Girls Conference School Rep, Nu'u toa Pasifika Senior Mentor and ran and Lead Year 8 Arts Day for Dance / Drama.

Ella Lee
Ella came to us an international student and quickly made the transition into Mainstream learning. She has involved herself in a variety of performance and artistic events across her years here including the Performing Arts programme and Hall Crew. She is heavily committed to Music and Dance across all years. She is the top student in her L3 Music class. Ella’s performances and activities include the GenX Dance Crew 2018,2019-2nd place overall and (best choreography 2018), Dance Leader 2022, Blueprint Competition Leader 2022, School Production (2018,2019,2021),  Arts & Cultural Council (2020-2021), Ball Committee (2021,2022), 04s Dance Crew Leader (2022), Freshmans Dance Crew Varsity (2021,2022), K-Pop Academy Season 2 (TVNZ 2021), She performed Scholarship Dance pieces (2020-2022) , and is a Scholarship Dance Candidate 2022.

Lottie Tahi
Lottie is an excellent performing Arts student. She was a stand-out student in Dance from Year 9-13. Lottie is a Dance Leader 2022. Other activities and performances include choreographing and Leading  Hip Hop mega crew. Dancer in all school productions since Year 9. Wāhine Toa Mentor. Dancer in scholarship Dances 2021. Member of Freshman Dance Crew. Sculpture 2022 student. Outstanding leadership, passion, contribution, and commitment to Kapa Haka.

Indy Brown
Indy is a high-achieving student in Design Technology throughout the last 5 years. She has achieved to a high standard in Sculpture and Art Design. She has also been a high Performing Visual Arts Student since Year 9. She was a Junior Art Club leader in Year 9 and 10. And more recently a Visual Arts Leader 2022.

Rhylee Su’aausane
Rhylee is a high-achieving student in Dance and Drama. She has been collaborating with Red Leap Theatre outside of school. Rhylee is the Pasifika Sisters United leader and member of Sāmoan Group for a number of years.

Congratulations to the winner of Te Taumata Toi - Talula Euini-Pio!

Congratulations to the following students presented with an Art and Culture Award last night: