Star attraction moves to Feilding with show
Tanemahuta Gray moved to Feilding for the small-area qualities it offers, but the show he is bringing with him is anything but small.
Tiki Taane Mahuta, starring Tiki Taane, will perform in Palmerston North for the first time.
The show is presented in partnership between Taki Rua and Aotearoa Aerial Theatre Company and combines theatre, aerial performance, contemporary dance, kapa haka, mau rakau and hip hop.
Gray is the artistic director of Taki Rua and the creator of Tiki Taane Mahuta. He said it is great to be bringing such a large-scale production that has a New Zealand story to Manawatu.
‘‘It doesn’t happen much in New Zealand because it is so hard to get them up and running. Having Tiki Taane and Sam Trevethick play is just phenomenal, bringing the whole live music element to the work. Taki Rua has been really trying to bring things to the region so we can really share these stories with our community.’’
Gray’s new community is Feilding. He is Rangitane and his wife’s parents live there, so he said he has ties already. ‘‘It’s been great being in Feilding. It’s a lovely place for the kids to grow up.’’
Gray said the show is ‘‘couched with a great narrative’’ and is a story that should really connect with New Zealanders.
‘‘It’s about two family lines. The father passes away in a car accident caused by the partner from another family line. It’s then the children that have to heal the rift and the wounds created by their parents. It’s very Romeo and Juliet in a way, but it is very much our story. Tiki Taane Mahuta is a proud expression of Aotearoa identity.’’
Gray has many years of experience in the performing arts industry, as a director, producer, choreographer, performer, event creator and manager. He said he hopes that people will support this show so that he can bring more.
‘‘It’s really exciting to be able to bring things to Palmerston North. Tiki lived in Palmy for a while too, so it feels like we are coming back to our roots a little. In the times that we are in the importance of community and knowing where we are from is so important.’’
It plays on May 19.