"Aunty Ma" a brilliantly moving story told through Maori theatre...

The cast of "Aunty Ma" script by storyteller William/Wiremu Davis

At Te Wananga o Aotearoa, I get the privilege of being able to experience Indigenous arts through a Maori lens as a NZ Samoan artist/author/academic etc. and it's a real privilege to share in the stories, performances, songs, whaikorero (speeches) and toi (the arts) at this Maori Indigenous tertiary institute of learning. It's a far cry from my former days in mainstream education and often challenges the perceptions of what I used to think as "the norm" in my former days as a student and then teacher professional.

Last night, I got the opportunity to take my class (Indigenous Research/ers) to view the play "Aunty Ma" in it's entirety as we had been invited to watch a rehearsal by the Maori performing arts class earlier but hadn't watched the ending. I was again blown away by the amazing script and story telling qualities of the performing arts students who used waiata (songs), te reo (language), taiaha (Maori weaponry) and many other elements to tell the story of a lady of grace whom we affectionately know at Te Wananga o Aotearoa as "Aunty Ma."

The story is about her life and the influences that made her what she is today as a passionate educator who was one of the founding members of Te Wananga o Aotearoa. This year she is leaving us due to her failing health etc. having spent 33 years as a stalwart of Te Wananga o Aotearoa. The story tells of what she encounted as a young Maori growing up in Te Awamutu and the story of how Te Wananga began.

I would highly recommend that every one watches this amazing story. The story was such that a number of the earlier trustees mortgaged their homes at least twice in order to be able to pay for the establishment of the buildings in Te Awamutu and were given a rubbish tip to build on top of for a $1 per year for 30 years (so symbolic of the racist attitudes of the day).

Today, Te Wananga o Aotearoa is the second largest tertiary education community in the country. It boasts teaching many Te Ao Maori (Maori world knowledge) courses as well as several degrees including the Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Education and now Masters in Applied Indigenous Knowledge as well as heading towards a PhD or doctoral studies.

There are many campuses scattered throughout the North and South Islands and encourages multicultural communities of learners and staff throughout the motu (islands) where I also teach now in sharing the story.

The performances are free at the Mangere Arts Centre, today and tomorrow at a 1pm Matinee and a 7pm evening show. Well worth the watch...