Young performers from four local schools are preparing to take the stage with a fresh, ensemble adaptation of Waenga, a compelling play by Hariata and Tamati Moriarty of Hurō Productions.
Te Rākau Hua o Te Wao Tapu, in collaboration with Hurō, is reviving the play with rangatahi from Mana College, Aotea College, Bishop Viard College, and Te Kura o Toa. This new production will be staged at Aotea College on 24 and 25 September, with three performances open to the public.
Originally premiering to a sold-out season at Wellington’s Kia Mau Festival, Waenga tells the story of Connie, a bold and quick-witted young wahine, and Grayson, a junior defence lawyer balancing his role within the legal system with his cultural identity. Together, their journeys explore themes of self-determination, dislocation, and systemic challenge.
Te Rākau’s rangatahi programme in Porirua supports young people aged 14 and up to develop as confident performers and thoughtful storytellers. The upcoming production of Waenga ki Porirua showcases their collective energy, guided by Te Rākau’s kaupapa of Theatre Marae, a form that uplifts Māori and community narratives.
“These young people are not just acting,” said director Jim Moriarty, who leads the production alongside a team of Te Rākau kaimahi. “They are stepping into a space where they can question, reflect, and speak truth.”
Showtimes at Aotea College:
- Wednesday 24 September, 6pm
- Thursday 25 September, 2pm
- Thursday 25 September, 6pm
For more information and to book tickets, visit terakau.org/waenga-porirua2025.
