Ngā Rorirori at Te Whaea by Hone Kouka brings together a great mix of dance, theatre, and farce, telling the story of one whānau’s journey to reclaim their whenua. Tawata Productions delivers this with an amazing cast of dancers and actors, combining humour and emotion in a way that keeps you both entertained and reflecting on Aotearoa’s current political and cultural situation.

The stage is set simply but effectively, evoking a marae, which instantly grounds the narrative in te ao Māori. The space is cleverly used, especially when the dancers groove through each scene, showcasing energetic choreography that fills the room with mauri and juicy ahua. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of being tau from the very start, with themes that resonated deeply – especially as the performance touched on contemporary issues like government accountability and global protests. The balance of humour and raw honesty makes the commentary on capitalism, colonisation, and whānau dynamics incredibly relatable, especially for Māori.

Mycah Keall and Manuel Solomon shine as the Rorirori siblings, Manuela and Pillow, whose contrasting values drive much of the conflict. Manuela’s dedication to her whānau and hapū felt very relatable. In contrast, Pillow’s greed and self-interest also hit close to home, echoing similar tensions many of us have witnessed in our own whānau, hapū and iwi. Yet, it’s all delivered with humour, grounding even the most serious moments in levity.

The choreography, particularly by Pillow (portrayed by Manuel Solomon), is incredible! His dynamic movement is crisp, on-beat, and mesmerising. Every sound is an opportunity for expression, and the performers embrace this fully, making the minimalist set come alive. The lighting design also adds to the mood, enhancing key moments beautifully. 

While the voice-over narration could have been stronger – sometimes distracting from the emotional depth of the characters – this minor flaw is easily outweighed by the choreography and the acting itself. I also felt the volume could have been raised for more impact in the opening scenes, but again, a small detail. One other thing was the poster for Ngā Rorirori, which didn’t feature the characters – it felt a bit misleading, unless that was intentional.

The use of local artist Mā’s tracks throughout the production was a personal highlight. The music chosen for each scene was stunning, perfectly matching the energy and emotion unfolding on stage. Loved all the bass and beats here!

Ngā Rorirori is a fun yet deep dive into whakapapa, identity, and balancing tradition with modern pressures. It’s definitely worth seeing if you’re after a show that’s both funny and emotional, and super relevant to today.

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