Ngāti Porou play Ruatepupuke: The Art of Whaikaro captivates audiences

Sharing pūrākau (stories) of Ngāti Porou to the wider world to help enrich the understanding of te ao Māori was front and centre at this week’s performances of Ruatepupuke at Ngata Memorial College.

Ruatepupuke: The Art of Whaikaro premiered during Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori in Ruatōria after months of mahi from Ngata students and staff. 

They wrote the script, made the sets and props and worked the production equipment. 

The production is about the art of carving and how this knowledge was gained and brought to mankind by tipuna Ruatepupuke. 

Teacher and director Wi Matahiki said performing Ruatepupuke was about sharing Ngāti Porou stories to the world. 

“We use our pūrākau [myths, legends] to help students gain a sense of Ngāti Poroutanga through music, kapa haka, dance, drama and art,” Matahiki said. 

It was important to tell these stories as “it’s who we are and for our students — it’s about being proud of where they come from”. 

The play is bilingual but much of it is in te reo Māori, which reflects the kaupapa of the school and its vision of E Tipu E Rea. 

Conrad Smith, a Year 13 tauira (student) who plays the lead role of Ruatepupuke, said he got involved because he wanted to try acting after being inspired by seeing other actors. 

“This has been a thrilling experience and the highlight of my time in Year 13,” he said. 

Smith has enjoyed experiencing visceral emotions and raw passions while acting for a crowd. 

“I have changed my career plans and now want to study acting at university, but I am open to offers. 

“The Māori language is part of our identity. Although I am not the best te reo speaker, I respect it as something that is important to my heritage.” 

Karma Rickard, a Year 12 student who plays Hinematikotai, said she got involved to experience playing a strong Māori role to inspire others. 

She enjoyed learning the story and being a part of something big for the Tairāwhiti community. 

“This has been really positive event for our school. Te reo is important to me because it is our language and my identity.” 

Ngata principal Peter Heron said the play engaged tauira with a local curriculum, which stimulated their learning. 

“The performance gives a culturally centred method of gaining NCEA credits. Our children have innate ability in the performing arts and our production allowed them to achieve as a byproduct of enjoyable learning.” 

Heron said after Covid-19 and Cyclone Gabrielle, it was important for the college to return to the tradition of an annual production, which had not happened for many years. 

The college hosted the regional Ngā Manu Kōrero speech competitions earlier this year and was up for the challenge of organising this event, which would improve the understanding of Māori culture across the coast, Heron said. 

“After all, why do Shakespeare when Ngāti Porou has its own rich heritage of pūrākau, and the kura has staff that can transfer these stories from oral history to a script and a performance.” 

Heron said they doubled their number of planned performances and nearly a thousand people come through the hall for the four sessions. 

“This means that tamariki and whānau from our whenua were able to visualise the legends and, as a staff, we have been very proud of our students who have shown exceptional abilities in skills ranging from song and dance to stage management, lighting, directing and sound control. 

“Ngāti Porou have a very rich heritage and it is important that this is shared.” 

Those who saw the performance said it was an emotional occasion and they felt proud of the rangatahi standing confidently and sharing pūrākau with others. 

- Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air