From Resilience to Brilliance

This year marks 140 years since the devastating eruption of Mount Tarawera, which buried villages, transformed the landscape and claimed the lives of around 120 people. To commemorate the anniversary, Tūhourangi Tribal Authority and performing arts collective Te Whare Tapere o Te Arawa joined forces to create Tērā te Auahi - a major Māori production told through theatre, music, movement, kapa haka and waiata. 

For Tūhourangi Tribal Authority Pou Whakahaere Taiao Te Maiora Rurehe, the formal partnership was essential to ensuring the story remained grounded in Tūhourangi whakapapa and was told with care, authority and integrity. 

“We wanted to maintain control of the narratives and ensure this was not a story frozen in time, but one shaped across generations, with the production becoming another feature in the Tarawera eruption story,” says Te Maiora. 

That responsibility was embodied by the people who brought the production to life. Most of the cast had connections or affiliations to Tūhourangi, grounding the storytelling in living relationships to the people, places and histories represented on stage. For Te Maiora, this was especially important given the scale of loss associated with the eruption and the sensitivity required in sharing the stories of those who lived through it. 

The weight of that responsibility was felt throughout the rehearsal period. As opening night drew closer, cast members spoke of a heaviness that lingered as they prepared to put on show the experiences of their tūpuna. The kaupapa sat with them through the long days, rehearsals and performances - a reminder that this was more than a stage production, it was a living expression of whakapapa, memory and survival. 

Tikanga helped carry the rōpū through that experience. On the morning of the opening performance, the cast gathered at Lake Tarawera for karakia before visiting the site where the historic Hinemihi marae once stood. 

“These landmarks grounded the cast in the kaupapa and set them up well for the week of productions,” says Te Maiora. 

By the final night, the strength of the connection created through the production was evident. Many cast members became emotional as they realised the season was coming to an end - the kaupapa had become part of them and their shared journey. 

That journey was also strengthened through whakawhanaungatanga as the time spent together in rehearsals allowed cast and crew to deepen their understanding of the story while forming relationships that extended beyond the production itself. With many already connected through whakapapa, the experience sustained cultural ties, strengthened bonds across whānau and generations, and created a shared sense of belonging. 

Support from the Ka Kā Te Rama fund enabled the collaboration to reach a scale and quality that otherwise may not have been possible. The funding contributed to eye-catching costumes, professional mentorship, production facilities and the wider environment needed for cast and crew to do their best mahi. 

“Without the funding received through Ka Kā Te Rama, this production would not have enjoyed the success that it did. Scaling the production back by the amount received would have dramatically decreased the quality and the impact on the lives of the cast, as well as audience members,” says Te Maiora. 

The result was a sell-out season, with all seven performances reaching capacity. For Tūhourangi, the response represented more than a commercial success, as it showed how a story once carried through trauma could be transformed into a source of strength, inspiration and creative excellence. 

Audiences saw Māori and Indigenous talent presented at a world-class standard, while Māori tamariki and rangatahi were able to see themselves reflected on stage. Te Maiora hopes that representation stays with them - and reminds them that they, too, are capable of performing and creating at the highest level. 

Tērā te Auahi also set a high bar for Māori production. Its fusion of kapa haka, contemporary dance, theatre, music and singing demonstrated what is possible when Māori stories are held by the people they belong to and supported with resources to be realised fully. The success has encouraged the creative directors to deepen their craft and continue developing a distinctive form of Māori entertainment that is both culturally grounded and world-class. 

With a summer series scheduled for later this year, the story of Tērā te Auahi is not ending with its first sold-out season. The return will give more people the opportunity to experience a production that honours the past while carrying Tūhourangi stories, relationships and aspirations forward. 

“Haere mai Tūhourangi, mahia ngā mahi, kia kite ngā iwi - Auahi ana e!” 

Tērā te Auahi returns for a summer season later this year.