Meet The Makers: Kura Te Ua
Published: Thursday 1 June 2023
Auckland Live is thrilled to once again be working in partnership with Hawaiki TŪ to present, Autaia. Celebrating the richness, diversity, and importance of Ngā Toi Māori (Māori performing arts). This is an opportunity to support our rangatahi, the emerging generation of Māori performers and artists, as they share their stories through haka theatre. Hear from one of the brilliant minds behind Autaia, Kura Te Ua.
Introduce yourself and your arts practice.
Kia ora, my name is Kura Te Ua, my Iwi are Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Te Whakatohea, Tuhoe and my arts practice is Haka Theatre combining the disciplines and the elements of Kapa Haka with theatre, dance and unique Māori storytelling.
Tell us about your upcoming project/show.
Autaia Haka Theatre is a platform that supports schools in Tāmaki Makaurau to create their own Haka Theatre Productions to perform at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre on Friday 9 June. Six Tuākana, six schools, five design specialists, 450 students and whole communities, iwi’s, hapū’s that come to support.
What can audiences expect from Autaia?
Be proud to be from Aotearoa, be proud to be Māori, be proud of the future of Māori performing arts and new frontiers of creatives, directors and leaders in haka theatre.
What’s your favourite thing about what you do?
Inspiring people to do the things that inspire them the most.
What’s the hardest thing about what you do?
If I could clone myself, I would. It’s time, having the time to reach people that deserve to be reached.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Believing you’re already halfway there. Start strong, finish stronger.
Who are your favourite artists/theatre companies/musicians etc. and why?
Anyone that has the courage to step up in front of an audience and express their views and share their ideas, that’s the most courageous thing any artist or musician can do.
What’s the best show you’ve seen this year?
KŌPŪ, Witi's Wahine, Hamilton and about to be rocked by seeing six amazing Haka Theatre productions.
How has Auckland Live supported you through the years and what does this support mean to you?
Auckland Live has supported us over the past three to four years with a wonderful relationship that has blossomed into a partnership for Autaia, over the last three years. It means a whole lot. Not only to me but the communities that we are serving. It means a whole lot to Māori and non-Māori to see the purpose that we are serving of such an inspiring Kaupapa delivered in the most iconic venues in Tāmaki Makaurau.
