Kaipara College has a genuine reputation for its performing arts and our students punch well above their weight in music, drama, and kapa haka.
Getting involved in the arts beyond the classroom helps students develop a real sense of ownership and belonging. It encourages innovation, embraces diversity, builds confidence and supports each young person in striving for their own personal excellence. Along the way, students create lifelong memories and form connections that stay with them well beyond their school years.
Music
Music is one of our longest-standing strengths and remains a vibrant part of school life. Over the years our current and past students have enjoyed considerable success in this area. Several of our acts have featured among the regional finalists in the SmokeFree RockQuest, and the college has previously been recognised by PlayItStrange as a leading music school. Our students have also reached the national finals of the SmokeFree RockQuest on more than one occasion, and we have produced a large and growing collection of professional recordings.
Beyond competitions, music thrives through regular community and regional performances, and our long-running Band Factory programme continues to flourish after more than two decades. Many of our alumni have gone on to pursue careers in the music industry, whether as recorded and live performers or as specialists working behind the scenes.
Individual students have also achieved notable recognition over the years, including a place in the national finals for Young Musician of the Year, along with success in a number of songwriting and lyric-writing competitions. More recently, one of our students secured a recording deal with a major label, and we are proud that some of our former students have found work supporting well-known international artists.
Drama
Performance is a strong thread running through school life, both in formal productions and in everyday school culture. Each year the college stages a full school production, with students performing on stage while others contribute behind the scenes as part of the band and production team.
Kapa Haka
Kapa haka has a proud and active presence at Kaipara College. In 2026, our kapa haka rōpū qualified for and competed at Nationals, a significant achievement for our students. Kapa haka is strongly connected to kaupapa Māori across the wider school, including our vertical whānau class structure, where senior students model and lead kapa haka practice for our younger students.
Celebrating The Arts
contentEach year, the MAD Awards (Music, Arts, and Drama) recognise outstanding achievement and contribution across all of these areas. Our Arts Captains help run this event, and plenty more throughout the year, to keep the wider school community engaged with what's happening in the arts. Events such as Kaipara's Got Talent and Battle of the Bands form part of our whole-school Arts Week. Through these opportunities, we see many students grow in confidence as they discover and develop their talents.