Pounamu Performing Arts students feature in The Whale Rider on stage

Prominent New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera's story The Whale Rider gave 16 of Pounamu Performing Arts School's level 6 students a taste of theatre excitement with rehearsals and stage performances over a 7-week period.

The Whale Rider film, which received international recognition, is a story that originates from the East Coast of New Zealand and is based on a legend of Paikea, who allegedly came to Aotearoa on the back of a whale. This version of Paikea's story, however, focuses on a young girl and her grandfather, Paka. The story follows Paikea's journey between two worlds as she tries to understand how it all began. Paikea is destined to lead her people but Paka’s blindness stands in the way of her destiny.

The dynamic cast included a combination of actors recognisable from the motion picture with a blend of new talent. The characters included Rawiri Paratene, who played Paka in the film, Vicky Haughton, who played Nanny Flowers and newcomer Karlos Drinkwater as Uncle Rawiri. The play also included the haunting melodies of Hinewehi Mohi, who played Rehua the guiding Spirit, and debut performances by Joylene Davis as Pai.

Pounamu, which is the Māori name for greenstone, is one of the most prized of M ?ori treasures and symbolises quality. Quality is also the hallmark of the services provided by Pounamu Performing Arts and is depicted in Pounamu’s vision of "Excellence in Māori Performing Arts".

Pounamu is focused on educating M ?ori youth and adults for further training at tertiary level. Pounamu also prepares students for employment as cultural ambassadors, in teaching and Māori performance, and has been registered and accredited as an education provider by NZQA since 1995.

Pounamu Performing Arts and Te Waka Huia, one of the premiere kapa haka roopu in New Zealand, are founded and managed by the Wehi family. The founders, Drs Ngapo and Pimia, are the most recognised leaders of the traditional M ?ori performing arts in Aotearoa.

Tapeta Wehi, son of Ngapo and Pimia, and tutor of the students involved, says, "The journey up until now has been awesome. The pinnacle for Māori performing arts students is to be able to perform in front of thousands of people. Nearly every show was sold out.

"We have a benchmark that we train students to and we like to stick with that. We re always making sure that standard is maintained," he says.