Aurora show ‘a triumph’

Students from schools around Tairawhiti donned costumes and busted out the marimbas for a special performance of the story of Whirikoka.

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Around 300 people turned up at Lawson Field Theatre to support the Aurora students and learn about Tairawhiti history.

Makaraka School teacher Michelle Hall has been the drama specialist for Aurora for the last three years and was impressed with this year’s students.

Aurora is a specialist education provider that works with talented students from 17 primary schools in the Tairawhiti region.

“They’ve done a really good job. I’m really impressed with all of them,” Mrs Hall said.

The students broke into groups and wrote sections of the script in two days, then Mrs Hall joined the sections together.

After less than a week of rehearsals, the students brought the story to the stage.

Mrs Hall said the students were constantly giving her ideas — where they could stand, move and when the music should play.

“They drive the learning rather than me saying, ‘this is my idea and you’re going to do what I say.’ If I just gave them a script that I’d purchased from somewhere, I don’t think they would be able to put this together.”

The story of Whirikoka came from kaumatua Charlie Pera, who gifted it to Te Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa, the organisation that represents the interest of Rongowhakata, Ngai Tamanuhiri and Te Aitanga a Mahaki.

Runanga education manager Albie Gibson said it was a legend for future generations to learn from.

“Charlie asked if we could turn this into a storybook for our schools because it has some amazing aspects to it, teaching the next generation about the ancestor Whirikoka.”

In May, the students visited a pa restored by Marcus Lloyd above the Waipaoa River at Whatatutu to see first-hand where the Whirikoka legend took place.

Many of the students in the play had never acted or played an instrument before.

Celia Willoughby was one of three actors who played the taniwha. Her favourite part of the play was trying something different.

“It’s a new experience. I’ve never done it before.

Malia Cousins said learning to play an instrument was a highlight.

“Not many of us knew how to play instruments here, and we got to learn how to play all the songs on the marimba and xylophone.

All the students spoken to said they wanted to continue acting.

Aurora executive director Sunny Bush said the play was an exciting and heartwarming opportunity to highlight the Aurora children’s brilliant talents to parents, whanau and the local community.

“We are all extremely proud of our magnificent Aurora performers. The showcase was a triumph.”

Filmed and Edited by
Ben Cowper

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