Ki te whaiao, ki te ao Mārama

The breath, the energy of life.

To the dawnlight, to the world of light.

The words refer to a world constantly emerging from darkness into light.

This production was based around the Māori Pūrākau which tells the story of the separation of Sky Father (Ranginui) and Earth Mother (Papatūānuku). They lay in a close embrace for many, many years before some of their children began to consider the restrictions they existed under.

Their children decide to separate Ranginui and Papatuanuku so that they could have space, as well as end the endless darkness.

Rose Kirkup, alongside Birchville students of varying ages, came together at the start of Term 3 and started the process for the production.

Rose used the students’ input and understanding of pūrākau to get a basic storyline together. Students had the ability to choose roles based on their interests at the start of production practice – and could change if they didn’t connect with the role. Students had a say in what their part in the role would look like (movement, lines, costume).

We tried to harness the students’ interests and talents so that everyone has a successful experience at this production. Some students did not want to be on stage, but be in a supporting role, which is just as important.

About Rose by Pheonix

“Rose is really cool to work with. What I like about Rose is that they have a vibrant personality, really nice, listens to kids ideas when they speak, they always have room for one more person if they want to join in somewhere. They are actually the coolest person on earth. They really encourage you to do your best that you can do.

It started with just a parachute in the middle of the hall and a bunch of kids sitting around it. Rose introduced some songs to help us tell the story (p!nk) (girl-on-fire) (bones)(another-love) (look-out-kid) then the story came together. We added more songs (like from kapa haka) then movement / dancing. And that is what you will see when you come to production!”

PAPATUANUKU
She is a mother earth figure who gives birth to all things, including people. Trees, birds, and people are born from the land, which then nourishes them.

RANGINUI
Ranginui is the heavens – the Sky Father. He is known by many names:
Rangi (Heavens), Ranginui (Great Heavens), Rangiroa (Expansive Heavens) or Te Ranginui-e-tu-nei (the Great-Standing Heavens). Some Mãori believe that all knowledge and life originated in Ranginui.

TAWHIRIMATEA
Tahirimātea lived between the embrace of Ranginui and Papatuanuku as did the other children of his whanau. He liked living close to his parents. He became the guardian of the winds, Ngã hau e wha, and continues to be so to this day as he wanted to be close to his father.

RUAUMOKO
Ruaumoko is the atua of earthquakes, volcanoes, and seasons. He is the youngest son of Ranginui and Papatuanuku. Ruaumoko was not yet born when the separation happened, so he was carried into the world below.

TANGAROA
Tangaroa is the son of Papatuanuku, the earth mother, and Ranginui, the sky father. He is one of the 70 children who, when earth and sky were separated, went to live in the world that was created. He is the atua of rivers, lakes and oceans.

TĀNE MAHUTA AND NGĀHERE
Tane separated earth and sky and brought this world into being. He fashioned the first human, he adorned the heavens and brought the baskets of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding down from the sky to human beings. He is called Tane-Mahuta, the god of the forest. It was Tane who successfully separated Ranginui and Papatuanuku and created
Te Ao Marama – the world of light.
Ngāhere is the bush/forest which is directly related to Tāne.

MATARIKI
Matariki is a shortened version of the name Ngã Mata o te Ariki Tāwhirimātea (the eyes of the atua Tāwhirimātea). Matariki is associated with good health and wellbeing.

MAJOR THEMES
TANES REBELLION
Tane Mahuta, with the majority of the children, had enough of living in darkness. He separated his parents without their consent, bringing light into the world of darkness. The ngähere supports him with this process.
TAWHIRIMATEA ISNT HAVING IT
Tawhirimatea was the only one who didn’t want their parents separated. He disagreed with his siblings and nearly started a war between them.
MATARIKI – STARS SPEAK THE TRUTH
Tawhirimatea’s eyes make up one purakau about how the constellation was created
Matariki
THE FORCE OF NATURE
Ruaumoko is a force to be reckoned with when he is upset about something
PEACE ON EARTH
Reflection on the creation of light in the world.

Group Members

Ngāhere – Tāne Mahuta’s children:

Amaia, Ronin, Echo, Taya, Ngäwiri, Danielle, Heidi, Emmett, Isla F, Ivy, Jayana, Jaxs, Paige, Amia, Treesa, Robin, James H, Sofia, Adelaide.

TAWHIRI – MATEA
Ezra, Max, Regan, Oliver, Xavier, Nito, Murphy, Ruby H, Isla W, Evie, Alexis I, Cody, Emmanuel, Quinn, Mikila, Aurora, Andrew, Darcy, Arthur, Mason, Connor, Kingi, Caiwyn.

MATARIKI
Amaia, Aria E, Rose, Izzy I, Bella, Amelia M, Dillon, Fiona-May, Kailynn, Neela, Scarlett S, Merito, Kaitiaki, Kaleb, Rose.

TANGAROA
Tahae, Terry J, Kenna, Alexis B, Ash, Ethan, Manaaki, James H, Zephyr, Soph A, Bailey, Keanu, Joel, Julian, Olive, Riley K, Ella, Madi, Lucy, Mackenzie, Chelsea, Ruby F, James J.

RUAUMOKO / SINGERS
Josefa, River W, Jo Tina, Mahinaarangi, Isla W, Ruby H, Hoani, Sophie A, Sophie S, Skye, Scarlett P, Maila, Sasha, Izzy C, Harry, Mia A, Mia C, Ellie, Aria W, Kaydence, Jayana, Precious, Talei, Te Rina, Amelia B, Ella, Aubree, Emma, Sophie L, Jeff, Jessie, Mikaia, Mia V, Charlotte, Riley O, Micah, Sienna, Wairua.

CREW MEMBERS

WELCOME CREW
Introducing the production, setting the scene, explaining procedures etc
Adelaide, Hagen, Tairua, Wairua, Sienna.

STAGE CREW
Supporting Rose in directing, testing equipment, resetting production, clean up etc
Phoenix, Olive, Rhys, James K, Briar, Kip.

LIGHTING CREW
Set up the lighting system, work alongside Rose to enhance the storyline with lighting etc
Maddox, William, Locke, Aiden, Hadlee-Rose, Jay, Robin, Mitchell.

PROPS / COSTUMES/ BACKDROPS
Making props, painting costumes, designing and creating the supporting artwork etc
Lacey, Janika Joy, Caitlin, Mia A, Zephyr, Joel, River S, Zeke, Heidi, Chelsea, Sienna, Aurora, Ella, Lucy.

SPECIAL MENTIONS
Rose Koedijk and Amelia Koedijk (Bella’s Mum and Aunty), Nadine Jäggi and Trix Jäggi (Neela’s Mum and Grandmother) for giving up their time to help support the students in designing and creating our amazing costumes. THANK YOU!

Isla Firth – For harnessing her creativity and designing the artwork for our production. Ka rawe!