First conceived in 2011, MANA WAHINE is an internationally acclaimed work that is inspired by the story of the Te Arawa ancestress, Te Aokapurangi, who single-handedly saved her people from being slaughtered.
Te Aokapurangi’s clever-thinking, bravery and doing the one thing that her adversaries thought she wouldn’t be able to pull off, inspired choreographers Taiaroa Royal, Taane Mete and Malia Johnston to create a collaborative work that celebrates the essence of women.
MANA WAHINE is steeped in tikanga (customs), haka (Māori dance themes) and music that is derived from our Māori whakapapa (genealogy).
The music is composed by Victoria Kelly, who has fused Māori music with modern day instruments to create a spectacular and haunting soundtrack that supports and elevates the audiences’ perspective.
This soundtrack supports the stunning lighting design by Vanda Karolczak, the mesmerising AV by Rowan Pierce, and with simple, body-hugging costuming by Elizabeth Whiting, the 5 female dancers take you on a spell-binding journey that will have you holding your breath to the very last sound.
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