Auckland Theatre Company (ATC) has partnered with legendary kapa haka theatre company Hawaiki TŪ’s to present Te Manawa, as part of Auckland Council’s Matariki Festival programme. The ASB Waterfront Theatre season offers a reworked version of the hugely popular show, now in its fifth season.

For the first time, esteemed New Zealand actor Rawiri Paratene will be among the cast of Te Manawa. Paratene has recently returned to New Zealand after performing in the Shakespeare’s Globe Globe to Globe tour of Hamlet. He will perform in Te Manawa while concurrently in rehearsals, as Director, for ATC’s season of When Sun and Moon Collide, and just on the back of performing in the Pop Up Globe’s productions of As You Like It and Henry V.

Te Manawa tells the story of two tribes bound together by a truce. Lovers Koru and Te Mauri are at the heart of the story, their love only faltered by the ensuing conflict between their respective tribes and Tawera, the son of a paramount chief and a man of questionable intentions.

Te Manawa is a unique form of Haka theatre. It combines kapa haka, Māori movement, contemporary theatre, storytelling and music into a unique Māori performance, set to a compelling storyline written by Jason Wu and the directors of Hawaiki TŪ, Kura Te Waati and Beez Ngarino Te Waati.

The production is set during the season of Matariki and the spiritual themes of the Māori New Year - navigation, cultivation, celebration and the life cycle - are woven into the story. Te Manawa honours the significance of Matariki and the many ways in which it is celebrated in Aotearoa.

Hawaiki TŪ’s multi-disciplinary format of haka theatre has widespread appeal across all ages and audiences. The company has a permanent ensemble of performers and continue to provide opportunities for emerging performers, in order to grow and maintain new talent.

According to ATC Artistic Director Colin McColl, “As Auckland’s newest tourism operator and one of the country’s leading theatre companies, we have a responsibility and commitment to telling the stories of Aotearoa and building the Maori kaupapa of the ASB Waterfront Theatre.

“Te Manawa has become the single most popular work in Hawaiki TŪ’s repertoire. We want to provide both locals and travelers and visitors to the city a high quality, authentic New Zealand cultural experience.”

The show is supported by Auckland Theatre Company and Te Wananga.

Tickets are on sale now at www.atc.co.nz

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