Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi – the Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre – is inviting the community to take part in a unique te reo storytelling experience.
Te Reo Wainene o Tua – The Sweet Story of Yesteryear – is a te Reo Māori storytelling kaupapa that brings together leading storytellers with a collective aim of “revitalising pūrākau (legendary tales) and normalising te reo”.
“Our roopu (group) delivers captivating and relevant stories about our history in 100 percent te Reo Māori, to the tamariki and rangatahi of Aotearoa,” say renowned storytellers Joe Harawira, Tamati Waaka and Te Awanuiarangi Black.
Te Reo Wainene o Tua is taking the traditional Māori art of storytelling to audiences around Aotearoa and will deliver four captivating sessions for local tamariki and rangatahi at Te Kōputu next week. Public Programmes Officer Anneke Philps says Wednesday performances are already booked out by school groups, but public performances will be available at 9:30 and 10:30 am on Thursday (28 July) and 10:30 and 11:30 am on Friday (29 July).
“It’s fantastic to have three outstanding storytellers in residence at Te Kōputu, and we’d encourage people to sit in on more than one session, if they can, so that they can enjoy the full pūrākau experience,” she says.
Ms Philps says any groups wishing to take part should contact the Library on 07 306 0509 to confirm session availability.
Lead storyteller Joe Harawira (Ngāti Awa, Ngaiterangi, Ngāti Maniapoto) is extremely well-known locally and is arguably New Zealand’s most experienced Māori storyteller, having shared our stories with audiences around the world for several decades. Children’s book author Tamati Waaka (Ngāti Pukeko, Te Whanau ā Apanui, Tūhoe) is an expert orator and translator, with an extensive background in Māori radio and kapa haka; while Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor and Māori Language Commission member Te Awanuiarangi Black (Ngāti Pukenga) is involved in numerous initiatives which promote Māori language and culture. Together, their specialist knowledge traverses whakapapa, whenua, tikanga and ngā tāonga tuku iho, which all contribute to fascinating tales about the history and Mātauranga Māori of our tupuna and culture.