Mīria George and Hone Kouka Photo: Tawata Productions
Mīria George (Te Arawa, Ngāti Awa, Tumutevarovaro, Enuamanu) and Hone Kouka (Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Kahungunu) are both acclaimed, experienced writers and directors in theatre and film in their own right.
Collectively as partners in work and life they are the founders and producers of Tawata Productions, providing a platform for Māori and Pasifika artists for stage and screen.
This year Tawata celebrates 20 years. Which, for any independent arts company is no mean feat.
July also marked the 15th year of Breaking Ground, the indigenous playwriting festival, and the pair also founded Kia Mau; an acclaimed biennial international indigenous arts festival which returns to Te Whanganui-a-tara Wellington in 2025.
This month Tawata is touring Kouka’s new play Ngā Rorirori nationally, including an appearance at Kōanga Festival in Tāmaki Makaurau which we also discuss on Culture 101.
Ngā Rorirori by Hone Kouka Photo: Tawata Productions
Ngā Rorirori translates in English to ‘the idiots’. It is, Tawata says, “a comical foray into one whānau’s relationship with their whenua.” The story goes something like this: there are only two in the hapu. One brother is a convicted fraudster who wants to turn their coastline into a cash cow, while the other, the pōtiki or youngest, is an activist. In typical farce fashion there are mistaken identities, dramatic reversals in fortune and even a chase scene.
It’s a play, Kouka admits, that has taken on new meaning under a new government since it was first developed in 2022. He has made extensive rewrites.
That’s also been a chance to make the work better. Ever pushing boundaries, Ngā Rorirori combines three of Kouka’s loves: farce, dance and theatre. The story is told by three dancers and two actors. The dialogue is recorded rather than live, with the voice parts doubled. This sees a total of 11 performers involved on and off stage.
Mīria and Hone joined Culture 101’s Mark Amery to play ‘Fast Favourites’. Among their shoutouts: choreographer Bianca Hislop, the participants and crew of George’s documentary series Big Hair, Don’t Care, musician Karnan Saba, Tama Waipara and Kouka’s daughter Maarire Brunning Kouka, better known as Mā. We share Mā new single ‘Korero Mai’.
