• 
• 

This month, the newly formed Ruia Taitea Creative are launching their new space in New Lynn - a 'home for Maori Theatre in Auckland'. A collaboration between a number of Maori theatre practitioners, the space is open to all to use, not just Maori, and will boast rehearsal rooms, a theatre and spaces to meet and teach.

Free public classes in Te Reo are already happening on Tuesdays. A name is being chosen from suggestions from the community, but for now, the space has been nicknamed "Whare no-name".

Renee Liang chats to co-founder Tainui Tukiwaho.

* * *

I love the metaphor of ‘stripping away the sapwood.’  Though the sap is also where the lifeblood runs….can you tell me more about your aims for Ruia Taitea Creative?

This whakatauki, from my understanding speaks about the Totara tree whose sapwood dies and becomes a burden to the tree. These burdens are the things that we would like to strip away in ourselves, all the insecurities that stop us. This is why we have chosen our name i.e. Ruia Taitea. We want to encourage everyone to be their best selves sans the burden of the sap wood draining us.

Why do you think the time is ripe for a new theatre and performance space in Auckland?

The time is ripe, and has been for a long time now, for a Maori Theatre space. It didn't have to be in Auckland but it needed to be somewhere though because Maori have had no where in the country to have their work supported for a long time now.
 
Why did you pick this space in New Lynn?

We chose New Lynn because of the support and kindness Titirangi Theatre has shown us. Their commitment to theatre is what turned the warehouse into a functioning space to start with. And their kindness to allow us to move into the space that they had established was the only way we could do what we are doing now. Thank you Duncan and Titirangi Theatre.

Tell us about the space – what will people be able to do in it?

We have two rehearsal studios that are being built at the moment, a theatre with 98-seats and an office space with several workstations for rent.

We are looking to create a space where we can foster a whanau of arts practitioners across the sector. Hopefully we have something for everyone in the theatre-world. And we’re also open to hear from anyone who thinks there is a need we could help fulfill.

How is it funded and how can people help?

I believe whole-heartily in this kaupapa. I believe that having a Whare like this for our community, being run with a strong kaupapa, which is affordable, is something we all desperately need. At the moment I’m funding the build and lease myself, because I believe in this. That is not to say that the other 30 or so dedicated artists who’re working around the clock aren't part of its creation. There are so many people volunteering time and skills, it wouldn't have been possible without all of them. If you want to help please email us at ruiataitea@gmail.com.

We could do with any equipment you may have that would help our theatre or if you just have some spare money [like anyone has spare money! :-)] that would be awesome too.  But seriously just email us and we can let you know how you can help. You could also help by starting to use the space i.e. hire it, rehearse here, do workshops, put on shows, etc. Basically give our Whare a wairua.

What kind of practitioners are you looking for, and how do they contact you?

We are looking for practitioners who are sensitive towards or open to working in a tikanga Maori framework within our Whare. I understand many people won't know what that means.

Whether you’re not Maori or because you are Maori and understand, there is no blanket rule for tikanga. In either instance if you’re open to investigating our whanau, we will be ready to receive you with open arms and guide you through what this means. And hey, if if it’s not for you kei te pai – no worries. Just come and give it a try, you won’t know unless you give it a go.

Tell me more about the tikanga Maori approach to theatre.

Tikanga Maori is just a convenient term for us. Because as I said previously there are no blanket rules for being or behaving like a Maori:-)

What we’re focusing on is some core ideals and expanding them and adding them along the way. Whanau, Tautoko and Manaakitanga are some key aspects. We also have a strong focus on Tuakana-Teina relationships within the Whare.

You’ve had a fine career so far, with collaborative and enabling performance projects a major theme.  How does this space extend your kaupapa?

This new project is a natural extension of what I have been doing in the past. The scale of how we can assist artists has grown with the introduction of a Whare. It just makes the whole process of Tautoko a lot easier.

Loaded question but I can’t help myself… is there such a thing as ‘Maori’ theatre and if so, what would define it?

I can't answer that question for the sector but for me Maori Theatre is theatre that is created under a certain ethos or kaupapa. If the works has been guided and shaped by Te ao Maori, regardless of the content, then that is where I would like to consider to be ‘Maori Theatre’.

Are you working on any other projects besides this one?

I’m currently in the midst of filming a South Pacific Pictures TV series Step Dave. In terms of work in the Whare my buddy Albert [Belz] and I are going to premiere a new piece of his writing later this year in our new theatre. So watch this space:-)