“Death of the land”

Tu Tangata, Issue 18, 1 June 1984, Page 30

“Death of the land”

by Te Paki Cherrington

The Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Maori Artists and Writers Society recently performed Rowley Habib’s one-act play, “Death of the Land”. The play was part of the programme of Rotorua’s FestivArt ’B4 in March.

Rowley Habib is the 1984 Katherine Mansfield Scholar and was farewelled by the Auckland Branch of the Society in late February just prior to his journey to Menton, France. “Death of the Land” is a short play which examines the maori view of land and its use. It shows the complexity of attitudes among maori people yet stresses the view of the spirituality and sense of belonging to the land. The play

contrasts the old view embodied by koro Wehi and the new view which seems to want to regulate and commercialise the land. The supernatural ever present among maori people is made good use of in the character Rongo. There seems to be as much tension between the opposing maori views of Wiremu King/Mihiata Moerangi on one side, and Wehi/Rosie/Tuta on the other, as there is between the old maori view and the judicial processes of this land. Rowley Habib has condensed a vast amount of differing opinions into this play.

The play was directed by Te Paki Cherrington of Ngapuhi who also played Wehi, with a cast and crew as follows:

The play was performed on the stage of Te Aro-Nui-A-Rua meeting house of the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute at Whakarewarewa on the evening of Thursday Ist March, 1984, and on Friday 2nd March it was performed at McKillop College in the morning and Rotorua Boys High in the afternoon. The cast and crew were accommodated at the Apumoana marae with the

support of Rotorua members of the New Zealand Maori Artists and Writers, in particular Ross Hemera, Averill Herbert, and June Grant. Others instrumental in the success of the venture included Joe Pene of the Apumoana marae, and Jim Healy and Averill

Adlam of the FestivArt ‘B4 committee. On their return to Auckland the group were invited to perform at St John’s College and at a hui arranged by Rob Cooper at the Whaiora marae, Otara, for the Catholic Diocese of Auckland. For these performances two cast changes were necessary, James Cherrington of Ngapuhi played the Court Clerk and Mike Paterson played Michael Atkinson.

Rongo Tainui Stephens of Te Rarawa Tuta Tangitu Pura Panapa of Waikato/Maniapoto Rosie Porter Arapera Blank of Ngati Porou Mihiata Moerangi Dawn Underwood of Ngapuhi Wehi Te Paki Cherrington of Ngapuhi Wiremu King Jim Shepherd of Ngapuhi Michael Atkinson Alan Blackburn Maud Atkinson Poto Stephens of Te Rarawa John Wilson John McKee Judge John McKee Court Clerk Ester Fala of Ngarauru/Samoa Lighting/Lighting Design Lin Hobin Sound/Lighting Assistant Roger Jolly of Waikato Chant Tui Cherrington of Ngapuhi/Ngati Porou Kaumatua Te Pere Curtis of Te Arawa Consultants Brian Kirby, Georgina Kirby, Keri Kaa, Rowley Habib.