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Writer and director Hone Kouka (Ngati Porou, Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Kahungunu, Ngai Tahu) says his latest work the beautiful ones is about love and redemption in a digital age. The production is a hybrid of art forms and cultures, involving a ‘super collective’ of artists working with a dynamic cast of dancers, actors and musicians.

“I gave myself a challenge to create a piece away from a text based work – the beautiful ones is the result.”

Produced by Wellington’s indigenous performance and film company Tawata Productions (I, George Nepia, Sunset Road and Tu) as part of Ahi Kaa Festival 2015, the beautiful ones premieres at Circa Theatre on 27 June.

the beautiful ones is a story of young love.  A promise Hana made to Ihia – a promise to return. Will she return? Will love triumph over temptation?  the beautiful ones bursts from the late night sheen of a city club with beautiful bodies & vital vocals, replete with defiant dance moves and the meaning of love.

Called ‘the theatrical dance party of the millenium’, it also features a dance floor for the audience to share the party vibe! 

the beautiful ones is a creative collision, weaving live music and produced beats, movement and choreography, visual design and text.

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?

Usually around 1.30am – 4.30am – always in the night.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?

Tenacious.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?

Seeing potential fulfilled.

How does your environment affect your work?

An environment doesn’t really affect my work – I can work anywhere.  My work is more affected by people.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?

Big picture.  Always.  It’s more fun.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?

Patience.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?

Wellington’s inaugural Ahi Kaa Festival – there’s a lot of people and at the moment they seem to be having a really nice time.

Who or what has inspired you recently?

Being reminded by our young ones that courage is an important thing.

Tell us a bit about your creative background.

I’ve been doing stuff for a long time.

Tell us about future plans for Tawata Productions.

To keep making great work and tour it around Aotearoa and the world.

What was the inspiration and writing process for ‘the beautiful ones’?

Dance parties.  The music and the choreography came first and then I evolved the korero around it.

What’s involved in the production of ‘the beautiful ones’ – including collaborations?

‘the beautiful ones’ features creative collaborations with Dolina Wehipeihana, Sopheak Seng, Johnson Witehira, Tama Waipara, K*Saba, Hone Hurihangnui, Laurie Dean, Wai Mihinui.  It could be best described as a super collective of artists who are working with a dynamic cast of dancers, actors and musicians.  ‘the beautiful ones’ is about love and redemption in a digital age.

What are your future plans for the work?

Tawata is touring ‘the beautiful ones’ to Auckland in 2016 – stay tuned for more details!

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?

A professional sportsman. 

What place is always with you, wherever you go?

Tikitiki and Rangiora.

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?

Headphones and alone. It’s the clarity of sound and the experience.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?

A flag.  A Tawata flag.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?

Time out.

What’s great about Matariki and the Ahi Kaa Festival?

It brings great people together.

What’s your big idea for 2015?

The Ahi Kaa Festival.

Hone Kouka

Hone Kouka MNZM (Ngati Porou, Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Kahungunu, Ngai Tahu) is an acclaimed Maori writer, winner of the Bruce Mason Award and multiple Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards. He has had plays produced in South Africa, Britain, Hawaii, Canada, Australia, New Caledonia, as well as throughout New Zealand, with two plays being translated into French and Russian.

Hone co-founded theatre production house Tawata Productions, producing the works of Maori & Pasifika writers. He has worked as Development Executive at the New Zealand Film Commission. In June 2009, Hone became a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to Contemporary Maori Theatre.

In March, 2015, Hone claimed the main prize in the Adam NZ Play Awards with his latest script ‘Bless The Child’. Hone’s script was also awarded Best Play by a Maori Playwright.

Tawata Productions

Based in Wellington, New Zealand, Tawata Productions is an indigenous performance and film company.

Specialising in the development and production of new work, Tawata blurs the lines between text, movement, film and music, presenting a diverse performance experience from Aotearoa to the world beyond.

Their work includes the sweeping epic Tu; multiple award winning I, George Nepia, the Cook Islands drama Sunset Road and the New Zealand Khmer Neang Neak’s Legacy. Tawata are currently developing the feature film Puawai’s Flowers, a co-production with Sabertooth Film.  Puawai’s Flowers weaves magic realism and comedy.

Tawata Productions has performed in national and international festivals throughout New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the South Pacific, and the Hawai’ian Islands.