A new home for Maori theatre

The actors behind Maori theatre group Whare No Name aka Ruia Taitea Creative, are "ridiculously excited"; from left, Rawiri Jobe, Benjamin Asi Pito and Tainui Tukiwaho. Photo / Adam Penfold

A new base for Maori theatre opens its doors today, writes Dionne Christian

Auckland is getting a new theatre with a difference. Ruia Taitea Creative, a recently formed company of actors, writers and producers, opens in New Lynn today with hopes it will become the home of Maori theatre in Auckland. Now referred to as "Whare No Name", it will offer performance and rehearsal space to individuals and groups who work using Tikanga Maori principles.

Former Shortland Street actor and one of Ruia Taitea's founding members Gerald Urquhart says while it will be a home for Maori theatre, you don't have to be Maori to work there.

"All you have to do is respect the fundamental Tikanga models such as whanau [family], manaakitanga [care for a person's mana] and aroha [love].

"This translates into respect before, during and after the process of creating work, all of which is paramount when working with the Ruia Taitea whanau. Even if you are just curious about what that means, we would love to hear from you. Whare No Name welcomes all extended whanau, individuals and cultural groups, without distinction."

The former warehouse was a temporary home for Titirangi Theatre while its Lopdell House base was refurbished.

Theatre-maker Tainui Tukiwaho, also one of Ruia Taitea's founders, says a call was put out to anyone who might be interested in taking over the building and he jumped at the opportunity to realise a childhood dream.

"I remember when I was only a little kid putting on plays and making theatre and thinking how cool it would be to one day run a theatre," says Tukiwaho, best known for playing Billy T James in the TV movie Billy.

In December, Maori theatre community networks and extended whanau attended a hui to discuss how best to flesh out the possibility of a theatre and rehearsal space as well as establishing a base for Maori theatre in Auckland.

Ruia Taitea Creative was born and has quickly become a community within itself, relying on support from members who include Urquhart, Tukiwaho and his co-star from the TV2 series Step Dave, Rawiri Jobe.

Earlier this month, Tukiwaho came home to West Auckland from a friend's wedding in Thailand and, after a couple of hours of broken sleep, went to the South Pacific Pictures studios to work a 12-hour day filming Step Dave.

Immediately afterwards, he drove to a four-hour meeting to discuss the project and says he didn't feel a bit tired because he's so energised by the idea.

"I'm ridiculously excited."

They all have been busy upgrading and transforming the building for a community open day today. It will be followed by an official ceremony this evening at which Whare No Name's official moniker will be revealed by kaumatua Rangimoana Taylor.

The community submitted suggestions, which were narrowed down to three choices from which a committee of Ruia Taitea members could make their ultimate choice. Applications have also been submitted to potential funders and a kickstarter campaign is under way to raise further cash to develop the theatre.

Tukiwaho says refurbishing the space and establishing management and administration processes mean there has not been time to plan a full season of performances.

However, Mika will perform there during Matariki while performer Regan Taylor is considering staging his abridged version of Shakespeare's Othello using Maori Performance Mask (Te Mata-Kokako o Rehia).

Playwright Albert Belz is also working on a new script which good friend Tukiwaho hopes will premiere at the new theatre. The two last collaborated on the hit show Raising the Titanics.

What: Whare No Name/Ruia Taitea Creative
Where: 44a Portage Rd, New Lynn, opening today,
10am-1.30pm