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Okareka Dance Company opens its new work, Mana Wahine, this month.  Based on the historical story of Rotorua maiden Te Aokapurangi, it also celebrates the stories of strong contemporary Maori women.  Renee Liang interviews dancer, choreographer and co-artistic director Taiaroa Royal.

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Since being founded in 2007 by Taiaroa Royal and Taane Mete, Okareka Dance Company has produced three critically-acclaimed touring shows - Tama Ma (2009), Nga Hau E Wha (2011) and K Rd Strip (2013).  They have also worked with schools and emerging dancers, presented at overseas festivals and are due to premiere their new work, Mana Wahine, this month.  Mana Wahine is inspired by the true story of Te Aokapurangi, a young maiden from Rotorua who was captured in battle by a tribe from the Far North and who many years later returned and single-handedly saved her people from slaughter.

Renee Liang spoke with co-artistic director of Okareka Dance Company and co-choreographer of Mana Wahine – Taiaroa Royal about the new show.

Why do you dance?

Because it’s what I do, I communicate with my body therefore I dance.

What is the purpose behind Okareka Dance company?

To create high quality productions that communicate stories through dance, stories inspired from our Maori beliefs, myths, legends and tales.

Why did you choose to focus on women for your new piece?

Because we believe they hold the essence necessary for this production - Mana Wahine.

Are the stories of Maori women recognised enough in Aotearoa? If not, what can be done?

They are beginning to be. We have many strong Maori women out there and we hope this pays tribute to those untold stories and inspires their stories to surface and be told.

Tell me about how the three choreographers work together on the floor to choreograph this. What is 'layered' choreography?

This is a new process for Okareka. We’ve had all three choreographers, Tai Royal, Taane Mete and Malia Johnston, in the space creating both individually and collectively. The work has then been pieced together over-laying each other’s ideas, choreography and imagery to create a work that has several layers and includes multiple interpretations.

How do you work with the dancers to devise a work?

Giving them tasks to create movement from, taking that movement and manipulating/developing it to satisfy the initial intention, then re-working and refining it. Dance material is responsive, intuitive and interpretive -  it's not literal or a linear way to deliver narrative.

Your performers have been selected not only for their ability to dance but their experiences as women. How much do their own stories feature?

A great deal! We ask them to recall stories of their own mana wahine and then draw movement from their stories. We have encouraged their own personal movement expressions. That way we all come from the same point - the essence of Mana Wahine.

Are you going to any special places during the Mana Wahine tour?

The work has its World Premiere in Rotorua where the main story that has inspired the production comes from. Also it is where the Company’s name originates from and where one of the Company Directors is born and bred.

Where do you plan to take Mana Wahine after its national tour?

Overseas hopefully. Nothing is ever set in concrete but there has been interest from Asia and Europe. But we feel the rest of the world needs to experience Mana Wahine!!

What are you working on next?

Many things in the pipeline. Teaching at a Summer School in Cincinnati plus creating a work while there; working on setting up our next major work called No. 8 Wire and preparing to revisit and tour K’Rd Strip, a work that premiered in 2013.