Te Kumara Reka

Te Kumara Reka by emerging Māori playwright Matiu Te Huki is a new Te Reo play commissioned by Taki Rua Productions (Pukunui, Kia Ngawari) that focuses on the power of positive reinforcement for rangatahi.

Whetu is an intelligent and talented student, content to hide her light for fear of being called a show-off or big-headed -something she considers to be very uncool.

One day she is visited by Rua; a happy, fun loving and wise spirit who, remains unfazed by anything life may throw his way. Through their meeting Whetu learns about the universal laws of attraction and she discovers that the power of positive thought can bring about positive results in her life.

Along the way they encounter Waha, the school care takers teenage son and wannabe hip hop gangster, who suggests her skills will best be used making cups of tea rather than taking centre stage. Waha’s negative words leave Whetu doubting her abilities and Rua’s guidance.

Rua’s unfazed approach to his newest challenge takes all three of them on a journey of discovery into the ancient Māori world where they examine Tikanga Māori and its relevance in today’s modern world. This insight gives Whetu and Waha an opportunity to put their differences aside and tautoko each other in a positive and productive way.

Te Kumara Reka addresses big issues in an entertaining way by weaving together dance, waiata and humour. Suitable for whanau from ages 4 and up, Te Kumara Reka empowers rangatahi to say “Yes I am talented, beautiful, powerful and I’m ok with that!”

Reviews

Te Ara Rima:
"... it gives our children an opportunity to see where the reo can take them. From a teachers point of view it was very good."

Kaiti Primary School:
"Continue speaking the Reo, inspiring tamariki to dream big and to know they are capable of achieving their dreams"

Kuranui College:
" For some they would have never heard Te Reo being spoken at that level or that amount. For those who did have some knowledge of Te Reo I think it gave them something to aspire to."

Horeke Primary School:
"It was fabulous for our tamariki to be exposed to such a high quality of te reo and even better that the actors/actress were young and vibrant and our tamariki could relate to them."

Welcome Bay:
"It was not necessary to be fluent in te reo, very few of our tamariki are. Exposing them to te reo is a great way for them to hear the beautiful language, and maybe inspire them to learn more, We love it!"

Western Heights High School:
"He rawe te kite atu i ngā taiohi Māori e whakapau kaha ana ki te whakaatu i enei tūmomo mahi whakaari...Karekau he korero tu atu i te miharo tenei roopu whakaari ki te whakapau kaha kia rongo a taringa kia kite a kanohi i to tātau reo, a mātau pakimearo.

Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o te Tonga o Hokianga:
"An excellent show for our older students. Awesome reo used, a good expansion for us all teachers, parents and children"

Kaiwaka Primary School:
"We like having your performances as we think that it is important for our students to hear Te Reo fluently spoken...We have seen three shows now and the students look forward to your visits."

TKKM o ngā Maungarongo:
"...it was kaumatua kuia day at our Kura and all the manuhiri really enjoyed the performance as well...For some of the kaumatua this was the first time they had seen a contemporary play performed in te reo Māori."

George Street Normal School, Dunedin:
"It was good for the children to see Te Reo spoken naturally rather than in a class setting - delivered in lessons"

Ngata Memorial College
" I want my students to experience total immersion, I want them to explore the power of reading and understanding visual cues from a performance."

Mountview Primary School
"He pai teeni whakaaturanga kia tatou katoa. Ka marama pai te katoa o ngā tamariki te ngako o te whakaaturanga. Kia hiahia mātou ētahi atu o ngā whakaaturanga. He pai mo ngā tamariki ki te mātakitaki ngā whakaaturanga Māori."

Wiri Central School
"Great kaupapa and moral very well done and easy to understand. My students are reo rua students and enjoyed even though they didn’t understand every word. Enjoyed by our whole team. "