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He aha Hī Hā? /
What is Hī Hā?
Hī Hā Dance Fitness is a revolutionary new educational resource combining dance fitness, Te Reo Māori and the arts. Our all-Kiwi, website-based programme for schools uses dance as a springboard to explore core subjects such as reading, writing, drama and art, all with a contemporary Māori flavour. Emphasis is on culture, self-expression and creativity. Why just learn it when you can move it?!
Hī Hā is fun, inclusive, and easy for both students and teachers.
embrace the meaning
Hī - pronounced he - as in 'whakahī', to be proud
Hā - pronounced haa - breath, essence
Ka pēhea te mahi / How it works
A Hī Hā subscription gives your school access to a new programme of dance videos and educational resources twice a year. Each programme has a fabulous new theme and is divided into units for easy classroom use:
Kanikani! Dance it!:Lleuarne Panoho leads her unique brand of culturally inspired dance videos to cool, contemporary, all-Kiwi music. Don’t worry, it’s super-easy to follow! Includes bonus movement videos, e.g. stretching, breathing.
Whakaarohia! Think it!: Dive more deeply into the theme! From personal responses, fun challenges and mini NZ research projects to Māori vocab games, there’s something here for everyone.
Whakarongo! Listen!: It’s storytime! First listen, then jump up and move it! Includes an oral retelling of a traditional Māori legend and an interactive story dance exclusive to Hī Hā.
Hangaia! Make it!: A hands-on creative unit with a practical focus, e.g. how to make a poi.
Tuhia! Write it!: Write to the theme! These hilariously inventive creative writing exercises from the pen of children's author Sally Sutton will fire up imaginations and get ideas flowing!
Tāngia! Draw it!: Inspiration from leading NZ artists and illustrators will unleash your students’ inner artist!
Whakaarihia! Act it!: Short classroom plays incorporating fitness and optional Te Reo, and the script for an entire school production using the dances, themes and even costumes from each Hī Hā programme. How easy is that?! Productions in each programme alternate between shows best suited to junior and senior school.
Whakaako! Teach it!: Written by teachers, for teachers, this section makes lesson plans easy by linking the content in each Hī Hā programme to the NZ curriculum. You'll also find links to other educational resources on literacy, maths, science and technology related to each programme's theme. Includes a glossary of Māori words used in the programme complete with pronunciation guide.
Each unit is designed to include material for a range of abilities, from New Entrant to Year 6. Tasks are given a ‘honey comb rating' based on independent completion; the more honey combs, the sweeter and more challenging the task! Note that most are suitable for all levels with teacher assistance or orally.
