Pohutukawa Tree

Tu Tangata, Issue 13, 1 August 1983, Page 8

Pohutukawa Tree

“Arena Theatre” a semi-pro-fessional group mounted this production of “Pohutukawa Tree” the first in the Auckland area since the death of Bruce Mason. It is a good attempt aimed obviously at secondary schools.

The play centres on a matriarch, Aroha Mataira, and her two children Johnny and Queenie and portrays Aroha’s strong pull towards Christ on one hand and her Maoritanga on the other. Set in the late 1940’s the play is now an anachronism.

Today Aroha seems a very “screwed up” Maori and one wonders just how much this picture of a Maori matriarch was indeed the norm in those times. She appears to reach her level of “screwedupness” by her literal acceptance of Christ which at times intermingles with and contradicts her Maoritanga. She reaches such a state that she discards

The Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Maori Artist and Writers Society continues to sponsor Maori Theatre. Their latest production was “Te Waka Karaitiana” compiled by Brian Kirby and performed at Ngaruawahia on the occasion of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s visit to the Turangawaewae Marae. The production was a dramatised documentary compiled from research of

and rejects both her children. The production lacked Maoriness and I can no longer forgive a pakeha actor or actress playing a Maori and mispronouncing Maori words. This is indefensible in todays acting world. Having made the above statements I must point out the two young Maori people were this productions saving grace. I refer here to James Cherrington, Ngati Hine of Ngapuhi who gave an energetic and convincing performance as the rebellious son. He continues to add to his acting credits and matures as an actor with each production. I refer also to Hinetangi Coleman, a 16 year old Ngati Porou sth former at Queen Victoria who plays Queenie. Her very natural portrayal of the naive but winning young girl shows that she has a future in the acting world should she pursue it.

documents of the Anglican Church, Journals, Diaries and letters of the Early Missionaries themselves. The production examined the values and actions of these early missionaries and gave a modern interpretation of them. It seemed to become a discussion of Christian mythology versus Maori theology and ended with a “where to from here?” question with audience participation. The short rehearsal period necessi-

tated a great deal of pressure for the technical crew who could be said to have pulled off a major coup in that their first full rehearsal was the performance itself at Ngaruawahia. I refer here to Stage Manager Brian Kirby, Lighting Designer Lin Hobin, Lighting

Assistant Dawn Underwood, Producting Secretary/Slide projectionist Tui Cherrington and Properties, Georgina Kirby. Their skill and expertise was a large factor in the success of the production. The play was directed by Don Selwyn of “Mortimers Patch” fame and written/compiled by Brian Kirby. The Maori text was by Rev. Kingi Ihaka and the late George Tait. The cast was as follows: Maori Narrator Robin KORA Pakeha Narrator Roger FOWLER Kaumatua Pura PANAPA Pakeha Bishop Rev. Bob SCOTT Maori Minister Paki CHERRINGTON Rev. Panapa Rameka COPE Pakeha Priest Richard HOWARD Young Maori Wiki OMAN Hone Heke Whatanui SKIPWORTH Kendall Don KJESTRUP

Te Kore Karanga Georgina KIRBY Governor Sean DUFFY Maori Messenger Graham SMITH The following participants were from ST JOHNS THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE Maori Group: Rio Katene, Matanuku Kaa, Wi Tamarapa, Wikitoria Panapa, Aroha Panapa, Pare Panapa, Marlene Panapa, Nicola Panapa, Maia Tamarapa, Davey Tamarapa.

Pakeha Group: Richard Ellena, Hillary Ellena, Peter Sykes, Vicki Sykes, Bob Barnes, Tim Meadowcroft, Sue Meadowcroft, Jackie Sewell, Elspeth Bunny, Jim Stuart, George Armstrong, Diana Gilberd. Participants from Queen Victoria

School: Tutor Sonny ABRAHAM Rangi Michelle MOANA Papa Carrie CLARKE Karanga Darlene HAURAKI plus: Elsie Dixon, Kathleen Toi, Bernice Thompson, Tangiwai Clark, Mereana Coleman, Joylene Winitana, Deborah Nathan, Tania Muir, Roimata Wharehuinga, Justine Keelan, Alaina Rupune, Cindy Grbic and Shiralee Crimmins. The Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Maori Artists and Writers would like to perform “Te Waka Karaitiana” at other venues. The Branch will be workshopping shortly two plays “June Day” a play by Dawn Underwood plus “The Gospel according to Tane” by Selwyn Muru. Plays by Hone Tuwhare and Ray Illingworth are also being considered.