26/10/2022
PARETOROA WEBSTER-TAREI
ROTORUA BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL (RAUKURA)
2022 Young Achiever for Leadership, Academic Excellence and Excellence in Performing Arts
In his first year of high school Paretoroa Webster-Tarei became a national kapa haka champion.
By year two, he earned a national Manu Kōrero title - his school’s first in 12 years.
It doesn’t matter what kind of stage Paretoroa steps onto, his talent shines and captivates audiences. Based on his singing, speaking, acting and cultural performances, it is evident the Raukura student is a natural entertainer.
From the moment Paretoroa Webster-Tarei started at Rotorua Boys’ High School, he has grasped every opportunity given to him.
He was part of the Raukura kapa haka group that won the 2018 national secondary schools’ kapa haka competition; placed second-equal in the Junior English - Tā Turi Kara section at the Ngā Manu Kōrero National Secondary School Speech Contest that same year; and performed at prize-giving events - all as a Year 9 student.
Achieving such accolades so early on provided a glimpse of what was to come from Paretoroa, who has continued to work hard and represent the school at local, regional and national levels.
Over the years Paretoroa has won school talent quests, secured a Ngā Manu Kōrero Junior English title, performed at events such as Opera in the Pā, received scholarships for his outstanding singing abilities, performed with the school’s award-winning choir, and has helped Raukura win Super 8 titles.
This year has been a big one for Paretoroa - he makes up one sixth of the school band TABS, which came away from the Rotorua regional Smokefreerockquest with a Best Song Award, and was announced as one of 10 finalists in the national Smokefree Tangata Beats competition. He also played one of the main roles in this year’s school production ‘In the Heights’.
As Paretoroa has developed as a performer throughout high school, so too has his ability to lead with conviction. He is a well-respected student who has been taking on more leadership roles in his final year at Raukura including as the captain of Te Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe house.
