Excitement is building in Porirua as local rangatahi prepare to take the stage this week in Waenga, a bold new theatre production developed by and for young people.
With opening night just around the corner, the cast say the experience has been transformative. “Excited! It feels like the journey has gone so fast, we can’t believe it’s coming to an end,” one performer said.
Developed by Hurō Productions and staged in partnership with Te Rākau Trust, Waenga shares the lived experiences of rangatahi through humour, honesty, and deeply emotional storytelling. The production has helped the young performers grow in confidence and self-awareness.
“I’ve learned how to manage my health and energy better,” said one cast member. “Having structured rehearsal times and clear layouts of the day really helps, it teaches us how to manage our time and develop the play.”
Throughout the rehearsal process, the team have seen remarkable growth in the performers. “The biggest change has been seeing rangatahi believe in themselves,” said a spokesperson. “They’re pushing beyond comfort zones, developing their mana motuhake, and finding strength in their stories.”
For the cast, staging Waenga in Porirua makes the message even more meaningful. “It raises awareness about rangatahi being put in these situations,” said one performer. “Having this expressed by rangatahi shows how important this is. Us being lucky enough to perform this for others means we can uphold the mana of these experiences.”
Audiences can expect a mix of humour, raw truth, and thought-provoking theatre. “Many jokes! Once you watch this play you’ll never be the same!” one rangatahi promised.
Community response has already been strong, with tickets available online via terakau.org. Entry is by koha at the door, and the team encourage locals to simply turn up if they haven’t booked in advance.
The hope is that Waenga will leave a lasting impact. “It will offer an educated view on this topic – to educate, heal, transform, and entertain,” said one cast member. “It gives people something to walk away with and think about.”
More opportunities for rangatahi are expected in the near future. “Absolutely, watch this space,” organisers said. “Te Rākau has a long history of working with rangatahi and aims to include youth-led theatre in our programme each year.”
To stay updated, follow @terakautrust on Instagram or sign up for their newsletter: https://terakau.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=e86b0b0061ba4e77b7cad6ddb&id=8efd15f7b2