Voyage into the stories of te moana and experience the spirited waiata, haka and instruments used in traditional Māori culture. Māori performing arts group HIWA will dazzle you with their maritime-themed performance Hiwa Ki Uta, Hiwa Ki Tai. The show explores stories of Māui, who fished up Te Ika a Māui the North Island and those of Polynesian wayfinders, who colonised the Pacific using their profound knowledge of the sea, celestial navigation, and naval architecture.
HIWA are highly skilled with tī rākau stick games and poi, both of which were practised by warriors to develop the skills required when wielding Māori weaponry such as the taiaha or when manning waka.
Hiwa Ki Uta, Hiwa Ki Tai concludes with a tour of the Museum’s Hawaiki Gallery, and a viewing of models of canoes of Aotearoa and the Pacific, accompanied by explanations of the knowledge and techniques used to steer and navigate them.
About HIWA:
HIWA: Māori kapa haka group
The name HIWA derives from the wishing star Hiwa-I-te-Rangi, which is part of the Matariki cluster. The performance-based group are proud ambassadors of Māori cultural, heritage and knowledge in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Together with their audience, they create moments of aspiration through song and dance by telling the stories of their ancestors in a fun and interactive environment.
The details:
- Performances take place every Friday, Saturday & Sunday until February 21 - 12.30pm - 1.15pm
- Auckland residents: $36, Visitors to Auckland: $45
- Book now for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows. Prices include Museum entry, 30min performance and 15min Hawaiki Gallery highlights tour.
Flat fee of $7 per day on weekends at Fanshawe Street carpark. Find out more.
Kids ride free on public transport on weekends and public holidays. Find out more.