Whakapaupakihi
Development Season
- 13 October, 7pm: War Memorial Theatre | 14 October, 2pm & 7pm: War Memorial Theatre | 15 October, 1pm & 6pm: War Memorial Theatre
In partnership with Manatū Taonga and Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival, Piksies Melody Ltd presents the development season of the new reo Māori musical – Whakapaupakihi.
Whakapaupakihi tells the epic story of three brothers, Taua-i-te-rangi, Māhaki-ewe-karoro and Hauiti and the establishment of tribal groupings spanning te Tairāwhiti (the East Coast region). Set in a magical new world, Whakapaupakihi introduces new generations and audiences to heritage themes reconstructed for twenty-first century purposes.
Whakapaupakihi boasts a nation-wide cast of professional kaihaka and actors to perform a dynamic and riveting two-and-a-half hour musical production in this development season.
Guided by Dr Wayne Ngata (Ngāti Ira, Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga a Hauiti) with book, music and lyrics by the Tuari Siblings (Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongomaiwahine, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Tūhoe), direction by Rutene Spooner (Ngāti Porou, Ngāruahine, Ngāti Kahungunu), choreography by Dr Sophie Williams (Te Arawa, Ngāpuhi), transcription, orchestration, arrangements and sound design by Ryan Youens, music direction by Taina Keelan (Te Aitanga a Hauiti), lighting design by Jo Kilgour, set design by Ora Kihi (Waikato/Tainui), and costume design by Te Ura Hoskins (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hau).
Whakapaupakihi is more than just a show, it is a twenty-first century platform that illuminates the distinctive voice of Māori storytelling through te reo Māori, te reo pūoro and toi Māori.
