Creative ID: 783
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)
I provide a service of exploring and teaching the art forms of Haka theatre. I provide services working with traditional artforms with poi, kapa haka, ti rakau, tititorea, waiata, haka. I have a background in performing arts drawing from the company of Hawaikitu Dance company which we recently collaborated with schools on the Autaia haka theatre projects. My services are based around providing interactive approaches, exploring choreographic tasking, learning the foundational movements of haka theatre from my personal experiences, reflecting on your tapawha, reconnecting with ones’ self through hinengaro, tinana, wairua and whanau. This collaboration can be of service for schools wanting to create a production, performance, self-reflective wananaga, cultural grounding and Ko wai au.
My track record of experience and success - or the track record of experience and success of the creative or artist that I will partner
I graduated with a Bachelors of Dance Studies degree from The University of Auckland. I also have a postgraduate Diploma of Dance. I work for a dance company as a performer – Kaihaka, dancer, actor, customer designer on various projects and plays.
I recently worked in schools as a Tuakana; creating, stage directing students, choreographing sections of the school haka and theatre plays. I have been involved in a number of regional kapa kaha competitions, music awards, music videos, end of year performances and choreographed dance solos, duets in connection to specific genres, including Māori contemporary dance.
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes
I worked in kura, which was my first school and gained my teaching dance experience working alongside two other artists to bring an end of school production to life. I worked at a local college teaching Māori contemporary dance for NCEA solos and duets, giving three lessons a week over a two-week period. I also worked at another college with Year 10 classes teaching them Māori contemporary dance. I have done youth work facilitating activities and health and safety procedures and another kura providing a service to create a choreographic piece for end of term. As part of a dance company I facilitated haka theatre dance shows of 15 mins, with six schools under six weeks. I have been a Te Reo Māori teacher and tutored kapa haka and ti rakau as a form of learning te reo Māori in a more kinesthetic approach.
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice
I feel with the NZQA going through changes shifting into a more indigenous lens, this is a great opportunity for our rangatahi to reconnect, and understand haka theatre and Māori contemporary dance as artforms. So they might find those pathways sooner than they would have otherwise and choose subjects that will support their tapawha. A space that might be more suitable if it's difficult to commit to kapa haka. Providing another avenue to embrace their indigeneity. This programme is open to all cultural backgrounds.