Te Rākau Theatre Marae Workshop

On Thursday, 13th March, a group of our Year 11, 12, and 13 drama students had the unique opportunity to participate in a Theatre Marae workshop led by Te Rākau Hua o Te Wao Tapu, Aotearoa New Zealand’s longest-running independent Māori theatre company. This enriching experience, held at Trinity Catholic College, was an immersive journey into identity, whakapapa, and citizenship through the power of devised theatre.

Te Rākau Theatre, guided by the hugely respected Jim Moriarty and writer Helen Pearse-Otene, uses Theatre Marae to bring communities together, creating spaces of cultural expression, healing, and social reflection. Their Theatre Marae programme is a fusion of therapeutic models, ngā mahi a Rēhia (Māori games and past times), and Western political theatre delivered in a kaupapa Māori environment, offering students a chance to explore storytelling in a deeply meaningful way.

Throughout the workshop, our students engaged in creative exercises that encouraged them to reflect on their personal and collective histories, using as something as simple as the meaning behind their first names. The session provided a platform for them to collaborate, communicate, and gain a greater appreciation of how theatre can be used to foster unity and understanding.

The workshop beautifully tied into the whakataukī,

"Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini,"

meaning, "My strength is not in my individual strength, but in the strength of many." The students experienced firsthand how theatre thrives on collective energy, how each voice contributes to the whole, and how stories, when shared, become more powerful. This principle was evident in their short performances, as they wove together their ideas and emotions into thought-provoking pieces of movement, sound, and connection.

For those who attended, this was not just a drama workshop but an opportunity to engage with tikanga Māori and experience the power of storytelling as a force for change. It was an experience that resonated deeply with all involved, reinforcing the idea that we are truly stronger together. We began as strangers, greeting each person in the room with a hongi. By the end of the workshop, new bonds and friendships had taken root.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Jim, Tamati, and Hariata Moriarty of the Te Rākau Theatre Company for this incredible opportunity to work with you. Ngā mihi maioha. We look forward to continuing to explore the power of Theatre Marae in our drama curriculum and beyond!

You might recognise Tamati Moriarty in a current ONE New Zealand ad!