MARANGA MAI
In 2022, Māori and Pasifika writers’ collective, Maranga Mai, launch their audio drama series – with the five part series featuring new writing by Tina McNicholas, Sandra Tisam, Sherilee Kahui, Teherenui Koteka and Stevie Greeks.
Written as part of writing festival Breaking Ground in Lockdown 2020 and recorded in April 2021 in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington, with a cast of over 20 actors including Tanea Heke, Tina Cook, Erina Daniels, Emma Katene, Ngamako Rota, Poe Tiare Tararo-Ruhe, Roy Iro, Tāne Rolfe, Nathan Mudge and Tyrone Elia.
Directed by celebrated Senior Māori Artist, Theatremaker and 2022 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Arts Laureates Hone Kouka and engineered by acclaimed Composer and Sound Producer Karnan Saba.
Maranga Mai Audio Drama Series included Assist Direction from Tāne Rolfe and Stevie Greeks.
Maranga Mai’s Audio Drama Series was recorded in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington, and completed post production in both Wellington and Toronto, Canada, Turtle Island.
Established by Tawata Productions, as part of the playwriting festival, Breaking Ground, Maranga Mai is a collective of writers from across the Wellington region – all of whom are focused on refining their craft. Established in 2017, Maranga Mai was created to support mothers, community leaders, tertiary students and full-time workers, who at nights and on weekends, are also committed writers.
The Collective currently features Sandra Tisam, Tina McNicholas, Natalia Fareti, Sherilee Kahui, Te Aorewa Rolleston, Teherenui Koteka and Stevie Greeks.
The Maranga Mai Collective has partnered with a small handful of great dramaturgs including Arts Foundation NZ Arts Laureate Ahi Karunaharan, Ilbijerri Theatre Company’s Artistic Director Rachael Maza (Australia), Ockham Prize Award Winner Whiti Hereaka, Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company’s Artistic Director Eva Mullaley (Australia) and Tawata Productions and Kia Mau Festival co-founder Mīria George.
Image Credits ROC+ Photography
