Don Brash to attend Whangarei school play for lesson on te reo use

Don Brash, who courted controversy when he asked why he should have to listen to te reo Maori on National Radio, will be at the Whangarei Girls High School play Waiora (above) tomorrow night to find out. Photo / Michael Cunningham

When Don Brash publicly questioned why he should have to listen to Maori being spoken on National Radio the director of a powerful Whangarei Girls High School play thought he'd help the former National and Act Party leader find out.

As a result Mr Brash will attend the emotionally charged play Waiora at the school tomorrow night to receive a lesson of his own.

The former politician turned spokesman for the group Hobson's Pledge told Kim Hill on Saturday Morning on RNZ National on December 2 that he did not like listening to Morning Report presenter Guyon Espiner "spouting on" in Maori each morning.

"We're being forced to listen to these sentences by Guyon Espiner without any trace of translation provided ... I have no idea what he is saying," he said.

That prompted William Walker, the director of the hugely popular and successful Waiora play, to contact Mr Brash.

Mr Walker invited him to attend Waiora in the hope that he might find the answer to his question in the performance and Mr Brash has taken up the challenge and confirmed he will be attending at 7pm tomorrow night.

''I recommend that anybody who has an issue with the prevalence of Maori words on government buildings and documents and on public radio and television, come to the show,'' Mr Walker said.

''Waiora is a totally engaging show that vividly illustrates the issues Maori faced when they were adapting to the new industrial/capitalist lifestyle the Pakeha brought with them to New Zealand.

"If we understand that, we understand the importance of inclusion of Maori culture in mainstream New Zealand today. Good on Don for taking up the challenge."

Whangarei Girls High School has added two extra dates to its graduation production. Waiora, written by Hone Kouka, was first performed by the school in May but due to high demand it was brought back.

This is the first time one of the school's Year 13 graduation productions has returned for a second season.

The last show had been expected to be on Sunday but because of popularity the school has added two more shows tomorrow and Friday at 7pm.