Listen Now: 
A new dance work celebrating the strength of women will be premiered in Rotorua next month.
The Okareka Dance Company is starting rehearsals for Mana Wahine, a new work for five female dancers by Taiaroa Royal, Taane Mete and Malia Johnston.
Royal says it’s based on the story of Te Arawa ancestor Te Aokapurangi, who was captured as a child by Ngapuhi.
When Ngaphui returned south years later to battle on Mokoia Island, her intervention saved the lives of many of her tribespeople.
"We’re basing the production around the essence, the strength of this woman Te Aokapurangi, but not only her. A lot of out stories and myths and legends in te ao Maori suggest there were or are a lot of mana wahine amongst our iwi, in our people, so we wanted to create a work that celebrates that," Mr Royal says.
Mana Wahine premieres in Rotorua on June 27 and then tours to 10 other centres around New Zealand.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH TAIAROA ROYAL CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MTc5ODU=
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
RELATED NEWS
