Pai is presented with an award for having the best speech in her region. She retells the stories and traditions that her grandfather taught her , but he is too stubborn to celebrate her achievement.
Hemi runs into Pai at the back of the school, who is learning taiaha (traditional staff fighting) in secret. He questions why Pai isn't out there with the other boys, because she is just as good.
Pai joins the boys when they enter the school to learn about their ancestors and becoming chieftan. Her grandfather who runs it is not please with her attendance because she is a girl this school is only for boys.