recalls racist past, reinstates mana Māori
A play about a triggering point in Aotearoa history reveals the country's racist past and what it took to change as a nation.
The Haka Party Incident premieres at ASB Waterfront Theatre tonight, and delves into a historic event where young Māori activists clashed with engineering students from Auckland University, who were giving a mock performance of the haka in 1979 during traditional capping escapades.
Director Katie Wolfe of Ngāti Mutunga and Ngāti Tama wrote the play because she says it was a significant moment in history that was misrepresented by the media of the time.
"The media was very biased," she says.
"I could only really take that as an indication. I wasn't really correct about what had gone one."
Ensuring the next generation knows the history, Wolfe has brought her son Nikau Balme on board.
Balme is a passionate kaihaka and a student at Ngā Puna o Waiorea (Western Springs College), and was brought in to write and teach haka for the play.
Link to video and article: Haka Party Incident play recalls racist past, reinstates mana Māori | Te Ao Māori News (teaomaori.news)
