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Two leading lights of kapa haka are also leading the way in providing training and employment opportunities for Māori .
Ngapo (Bub) and Pimia (Nan) Wehi have spent their lives striving for excellence in Māori performing arts. Their track-record at the Aotearoa Māori Performing Arts Festival is a testament to their impeccable standards. Bub and Nan are the only tutors in the country to have ever won at the Festival five times, three times with the Auckland-based club, Te Waka Huia (1986,92,96) and twice with Gisborne-based group, Waihirere Māori Group. (1972, 79).
Bub says kapa haka is powerful medium for educating Māori . “It requires great discipline and it’s character building. It’s a way of attaching yourself to your roots and being content about yourself, your past, your present situation and your future.” This belief underpins both companies that the Wehi whanau own, manage and operate.
In 1986, the Wehi whanau established Pounamu Ventures, a Māori performing arts company based in Auckland. The company performs at national and international conferences, promotions and private functions. The group performs traditional rituals including the wero, karanga and whaikorero. It also demonstrates Māori action songs, poi, weaponary and haka.
Since it’s inception, Pounamu Ventures has toured in almost every continent in the world and welcomed distinguished visitors to our shores. They have welcomed guests like former US President, Bill Clinton and pop queen, Janet Jackson. Bub says its just as well Māori people are adaptable “ Our ropū have performed in a cordoned off paddock in Papua New Guinea, at the Sydney Opera House and in the top restaurant in Bangkok. Every time, not matter what the circumstances, we have risen to the occasion.”
While the performing arts company provides employment opportunities, the training arm, Pounamu Training Systems, set up in 1989, provides the talent. Annette Wehi says the goal of Pounamu Training Systems is to develop the potential inherent in every person. “ It’s the company’s belief that when a Māori has a solid base in their Maoritanga that person’s educational, employment and financial opportunities are enhanced.”
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Pounamu Training Systems has been registered and accredited with the Qualifications Authority since 1995. Students who are interested in a career as a cultural ambassador or as a performing artist can work towards a National Certificate in Māori Performing Arts (Level 4). Those rangatahi and pakeke who have an interest in tourism or are unsure of their career path can work towards gaining unit standards in Te Reo Māori (Level 1) and Māori Performing Arts (Level 2).
Pounamu offer a one year, full-time course for students serious about pursuing a career in Māori performing arts. Rangatahi Maia students, aged between 16-19 years old are required to have at least 6th form certificate Te Reo Māori before they even go on the course. They are also required to do an audition. Once on the course, trainees must perform in primary and secondary schools around the country.
Most of these graduates from these two courses have gone on to perform for Pounamu Ventures. Bub says it’s incredible to watch some of the students transform. “We’ve had some students come in who haven’t been able to even hold up their heads then they go on to perform overseas in places like the Dusit Tahani restaurant in Bangkok. They mature ten years or more from just one overseas trip.”
The Rangatahi Maia and Skill Enhancement programmes are geared towards building the self-esteem of young Māori . Students on these courses can be as young as 15 years old. Bub says that for some of these kids, it’s an achievement just to turn up to class every day. “We’ve learnt that kids won’t switch on to learning unless the wairua’s comfortable. We do our utmost to ensure that the environment’s right. All students at this level are encouraged to plan a career pathway for the future, which may or may not be in Māori performing arts.
Bub believes Pounamu Training Systems and Pounamu Ventures has survived more than 12 years in the business because his whanau have never stopped believing that anything is possible.
“What it takes for Māori PTEs to survive is blood, sweat and tears. It takes sheer tenacity and hard work. But you’ve also got to keep your goals in perspective. A man’s a fool if he thinks he can save the world.”
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