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Wellington’s thriving Maori theatre scene has given birth to a new roopu to build on the progress made over the past three decades.
Te Putahitanga a te Rehia includes professionals such as Jim Moriarty, Nancy Brunning, Tanemahuta Gray and Hone Kouka who are looking for a platform to support the sector and advocate for change.
Its first project is next week's Putahi festival, a week-long celebration of Maori theatre.
It will include performances of Hone Kouka’s new theatre, dance and music piece The Beautiful Ones, The Battallion by Jim Moriarty’s Te Rakau Hua O Te Wao Tapu, Not in Our Neighbourhood by Jamie McCaskill and readings of Nancy Brunning’s play Hikoi and Steph Matuku’s A Story of Rona.
Festival producer Jason Te Kare says the increased depth, variety and quality of Maori theatre hasn’t necessarily equated to increased opportunities, and Te Putahitanga a te Rehia wants to encourage cooperation rather than competition as the way ahead.
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