Remembrance is a theatre play by the students of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in Māngere that tells the story of a Māori woman who returns to her hometown of Whangaroa to reconnect with her tribe.
Written and Directed by William Davis, he hopes the audience rediscovers the importance of tikanga and kawa.
These Te Wānanga o Aotearoa students have worked tirelessly for the past four months to create this show. Under the guidance of William Davis, it's story that hits close to home for him.
"It’s about the life of my mother back in the days growing up on the marae in Whangaroa,” Davis explains.
It was the first time learning Māori weaponry for some, and Courtney Kaiwai says it's an experience she will always remember.
“Mau rākau was very intense, the whole waewae work and handling it properly, because I get pretty sore,” says Kaiwai.
Māori advisor teacher Aaron Henare says the Māori aspect of the play help the students rediscover their Māori values.
Aaron Henare says, “The work that I’m involved in, I try to get my students to reconnect with their Māori values from their particular tribe.”
Tauranga Moana descendant Maria Taroa hopes the audience will have an emotional experience.
“Rather than seeing it and hearing what we just done, I want them to feel what we have and the wairua, and all the work and effort we've been through,” Taroa says.
Remembrance's last show will be tomorrow at the Mangere Te Tohu o Uenuku Arts Centre.