Maranga Mai

During Poutūterangi, wāhine Māori and va’ine Pasifika writers’ collective, Maranga Mai, will return to Moana Nui for two weeks only for a strictly limited two week season of their Audio Drama Series.

Featuring fantastical new writing by Tina McNicholas, Sandra Tisam, Sherilee Kahui, Teherenui Koteka and Stevie Greeks. Each writer shares a story that navigates the journey through the complexities and challenges of life, from the perspective of friends, whānau and even furniture. 

The audio series was initially written as part of the playwright festival, Breaking Ground, during the 2020 Lockdown. They were later recorded in April 2021 in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington, with a cast of over 20 established and emerging actors including, Tanea Heke, Tina Cook, Erina Daniels, Ani-Piki Tuari, Taylor-Rose Terekia, Tāne Rolfe, Emma Katene, Roy Iro, and Poe Tiare Ruhe-Tararo. Each work is a full audio production which involves storytelling, music, and soundscape to build a picture for the listeners and pull them into the world of each story as they listen.

With the series being led by the skilful direction of celebrated senior Māori artist and theatremaker, and 2022 Arts Foundation NZ Arts Laureate Hone Kouka. Helping Kouka along the way in Assistant Direction is Tāne Rolfe and Stevie Greeks. Maranga Mai’s audio drama series has been engineered by Composer and Sounds Producer Karnan Saba.

Created by Tawata Productions, as part of the international Indigenous playwriting festival, Breaking Ground, the collective Maranga Mai was established to support the ongoing development of Māori and Pacific women who write.

Maranga Mai features five works from within the collective,  Whakaaraara by Sherilee Kahui, Te Maunga, Te Toa e Manakia by Teherenui Koteka, Grown by Stevie Greeks, Mira by Sandra Tisam and Unlocked by Tina McNicholas.