Family of Kaiya-Gene Kerekere perform haka at Kirwan formal to honour teen battling cancer
A loved teenager battling stage four cancer “had the time of his life” when he celebrated the end of his schooling days at his formal.
Townsville
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A beloved teenager battling stage four cancer “had the time of his life” when he celebrated the end of his schooling at his formal.
The moment was made all the more special for Kirwan State High School graduate Kaiya-Gene Kerekere when his family met him at the entrance and performed an inspirational haka.
As Kaiya and his date Raven Beddoes stepped out of the car, they were met by his father Eugene and his older brother Shayden, who led the haka outside The Ville on Friday.
Students watched in awe as more family joined, with Kaiya stepping in toward the end.
MORE PHOTOS:
Part 1: Kirwan State High School formal photos
Part 2: Glitz and glamour from Kirwan formal
Hundreds of bystanders clapped and cheered as Kaiya’s family embraced him before making his way into ceremony.
The talented football player was diagnosed with a rare form of throat cancer, synovial farcoma, in 2018.
His mother, Terri, said Kaiya had the time of his life at the formal.
“It was an incredible moment to get him where he is,” she said.
“We had family that had flown from Brisbane, Mount Isa and members here in Townsville.
“(The haka) wasn’t planned. It’s just something that if it will be, it will be.”
The 17-year-old, who represented North Queensland on the footy field and was enrolled in Kirwan’s coveted Sports Academy, is back in hospital.
Mrs Kerekere said the school meant a lot to Kaiya, even when he moved to Brisbane for treatment.
“He never lost touch with them. He was still part of the Kirwan Bears team,” she said.
“They came down and presented him with his kit. He still feels like he was part of the team.”
Mrs Kerekere said Kaiya planned on following his passion of becoming a mechanic.
Originally published as Family of Kaiya-Gene Kerekere perform haka at Kirwan formal to honour teen battling cancer
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