Witi’s Wāhine

An uplifting love song to the wāhine toa of the East Coast who inhabit Witi Ihimaera’s celebrated writing.

ASB Waterfront Theatre Dates: Tue 10 May – Sat 28 May Genre: NZ Theatre Direction: Waimihi Hotere

Four wāhine take their journeys through history and mythology, sharing tears, jokes and waiata along the way. But these are no ordinary women – they’re matriarchs of New Zealand fiction, finally stepping out from the shadows.

In Witi Ihimaera’s books, characters spring from the page, fully formed and opinionated. Here, some of his most memorable characters, from works like The Parihaka Woman, The Matriarch and Pounamu Pounamu, step onto the stage.

The result is Witi’s Wāhine, a love letter or, more accurately, a love song, to the women of Te Tairāwhiti, the East Coast, who inhabit Ihimaera’s writing: the wāhine of his own whānau. Nancy Brunning has crafted a story that fuses loving tribute with powerful commentary, levity with unflinching reality, sensitivity with warm affection.

Witi’s Wāhine is perfect for learning groups who are exploring the short stories & novels of Witi Ihimaera. Additionally, the work is a great example of contemporary Māori theatre and has links to the English and Drama curriculums.

WITI IHIMAERA REFERENCED TEXTS Witi’s Wāhine references and draws from the following titles: • Short story: I’ve Been Thinking About You, Sister • The Parihaka Woman • The Matriarch (and the sequel, The Dream Swimmer) • Bulibasha • The Whale Rider • Pounamu Pounamu

Mihi aroha to Tama Waipara and the Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival for their tautoko and manaaki. They provided the pathway for Nancy’s vision. Tama was unshakeable in his belief in our māreikura and her writing. Hāpai Productions acknowledges the role Tama plays in bringing this beautiful tribute to life.

ACTS OF IMAGINATION

Teachers Workshop: Tue 3 May, 2 – 5pm Youth Night: Tue 17 May, 7pm School Matinees: Thu 19 May, Tue 24 May, 11am In School Workshops: Mon 10 May to Fri 27 May CONTENT INFO

Approx. Duration: 1 hour 20 mins, no interval

Advisory: Described violence

Suitability: Year levels 9 – 13

CURRICULUM INFO

Themes and Ideas: Mana Wāhine. Toi Māori. Te reo Māori and waiata. Society and cross-cultural issues.

Drama Connections: Contemporary Māori performance. NZ feminist theatre. Revisiting stories. Thematic storytelling. Monologue. Ensemble. Use of waiata & music.

English Connections: Witi Ihimaera’s short stories and novels.

A co-production between Auckland Theatre Company and Hāpai Productions.