Te Reo Māori Theatre to perform in Dunedin

Lead Actor Kim Garrett. Image by Emma Brittenden Photography Supplied by The Court Theatre
Lead Actor Kim Garrett. Image by Emma Brittenden Photography Supplied by The Court Theatre
A scene from the the 2015 production.
A scene from the the 2015 production.
Lead actor Jared Hiakita starred in the original 2015 production.
Lead actor Jared Hiakita starred in the original 2015 production.

A two-year adventure in the world of Māori theatre comes full circle for Hōhepa Waitoa next month, when Taki Rua Productions begin touring his very first te reo Māori play.

He Kura E Huna Ana will perform at The Fortune Theatre Studio in Dunedin from April 6 to 8.

He Kura E Huna Ana is drawn from the beauty of traditional Kāi Tahu legend about ancestors Waitaiki and Tamaahua who are torn apart by a jealous taniwha named Poutini. Directed by Nancy Brunning and starring Christchurch local Kim Garrett, the play follows the modern day story of Hine, a young doctor-in-training whose return to her papa kāinga leads her to confront the tragic loss of her family on the anniversary of their death. Raised solely by her Taua, Hine must find understanding and consolation within the story of the pounamu trail and the depths of the Arahura River.

Written by emerging playwright Hōhepa Waitoa, an uncompromising champion of te reo Māori, the debut season of He Kura E Huna Ana quickly sold out The Forge at The Court Theatre in 2015. Since then, Hōhepa has worked on a range of Taki Rua productions, including the award-winning All Our Sons by Witi Ihimaera and te reo Māori children’s production Whakaahuatia Mai written by Kahu Hōtere.

Now returning to his own work, Hōhepa brings with him experience from working alongside Māori theatre notables like Witi Ihimaera, Nathaniel Lees and Te Kohe Tuhaka.

Set in two distinct time periods - one ancestral, and one contemporary - He Kura E Huna Ana shows that the two are inseparable, and losing sight of our origins can be dangerous. “Like pounamu, every person has a story. Everyone and everything has a beginning. The trouble is, we don't always know where we come from, which leads to a painful cultural and spiritual disconnection with who we are" describes Hōhepa.

He Kura E Huna Ana will rehearse in Christchurch from Wednesday March 1 to Thursday March 23. Between theatre presentations, the production will tour schools and tertiary institutions performing for student audiences. This is the first work produced as part of Ngā Tai O Kurawaka – a Taki Rua project encouraging iwi to translate local stories into stunning theatre.

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