61-69 Abel Smith St
Wellington, New Zealand 6010
office@kiamaufestival.org
WAIWHAKAATA – REFLECTIONS IN THE WATER
A return to ancestral origins and legacy. One man’s journey of self rediscovery.
Having lost touch with his Māori heritage, caught up in the rat race of urban humanity and drifting further from his roots, Rehua takes the audience on a journey towards healing and redemption.
A life-altering decision changes the pathway for Rehua, guiding his return to the whenua and waterways of his forbears. Steeped in history and an inherent connection with patupaiarehe, Rehua’s identity resurfaces; learning to integrate his past with his present self.
‘Waiwhakaata-Reflections in the Water’ combines contemporary dance, explosive physical theatre, taonga puoro and kōrero tuku iho to bring us a bold story of hope and reconnection.
Waiwhakaata defines its own territory. It is like witnessing the birth of a new genre.
Creative Credits
Artistic Director & Choreographer: Eddie Elliott
Co-Writers: Niwa Milroy & Cian Parker
Dramaturg: Cian Parker
Composer & Sound Design: Alistair Deverick
Producer: Lance Loughlin
Lighting Designer: Jo Kilgour
Set & Costume Designer: Dan Williams
Taonga Puoro: James Webster
Dancers: Carl Tolentino, Chrissy Kokiri, Sean MacDonald, Brydie Colquhoun, Isope Akau’ola & Abbie Rogers
Actor: Lezharn Avia-Elliott
Dates
07 – 10 June
Weds-Thurs 6.30pm; Fri-Sat 8pm;
Venue
Circa Theatre
Circa One
1 Taranaki Street
Te Aro
Wellington
www.circa.co.nz
Tickets
Adults $45
General Admission $35
Students $15
Audiences 11+
Contains coarse language.
Haze and smoke effects.
Strobe lighting.
Learn More About the Collective
Waiwhakaata Performance is a physical theatre dance company that explores Māori concepts, mythology and kōrero tuku iho (stories from the past).
We create live work that pushes beyond any one form of performing arts practice and tells stories on stage through the power of dance, theatre, Taonga Pūoro and other multi-disciplinary art forms.
The works we produce endorses inclusive connection amongst Indigenous storytelling; predominantly Māori.
Originally commissioned and co-produced by Auckland Arts Festival, and premiered online in 2022.
