I am just learning that haka theatre is a thing, and it's inspiring our rangatahi to express themselves through some epic storytelling.
Autaia is a theatre group all about celebrating Nga Toi Maori (performing arts), especially for the upcoming generation.
In a clip shared to Instagram, Autaia shows the students performing their stories through haka in a full-blown stage show with epic lights, costumes, sets and images moving behind them.
These students are involved in everything – from performing and directing to choreography, costume and set design, sound, and lighting. They get stuck into workshops to bring life to their incredible stories.
Another clip shows just how much effort these younguns put into preparing for their show. From practising in their school gyms to dress rehearsals on the stage, the students put the mahi IN.
"Every school has a story to be told as every student has a light to shine. This is the platform for them to do it," says Founder and Artistic Director Kura Te Ua. "This is for them."
"I'm getting emotional about it because I know that every time I play the music and I look down there's a huge puddle of tears because of what I'm seeing and feeling," she adds about the students' performances.
"We recognise that the tuapapa of our identity is te ao haka, because within that are the disciplines, values, and everything we love about being Maori."
Autaia involves over 500 rangatahi from all across Tamaki Makaurau. 10 schools and Kura Kaupapa Maori from around the area get together to create what can only be described as a beautiful
This year Autaia is also adding a couple of kura from Te Tai Tokerau into the mix, along with performances from Ngati Whatua and Te Wananga Takiura.
The big show is going down on August 21st.
