[Maori] - TE REREKA WAIRUA O POURAKAHUA: Written and performed by Jeffrey Addison

E AHAKU NUI, E KĀ RAKATIRA O KĀ HAU MAHA  TĒNEI TE MIHI KI A KOUTOU KATOA.

ANEI TĒTAHI PŪRAKAU MAI I TE WAKA O TĀKITIMU. HE PŪRAKU E PĀ ANA TĒTAHI MANU WAIRUA

ME TŌNA REREKA KI AOTEAROA. KO KIMI IA KI TŌNA PORI HŌU, I TE AO PŌHATU.  

NAU MAI, TAUTĪ MAI E HOA MĀ.

The Māori language version of the story evolved from a theatrical puppet show by TORO PIKOPIKO PUPPETS, that premiered at TE ANA MĀORI ROCK-ART CENTRE in 2017 called TE REREKA – THE FLIGHT. This rock-art puppet musical was adapted as an on-line interactive e-Audiobook for the Ministry of Education in 2018, and has now been formatted as a 70 minute, 6-chapter audiobook i te reo Kāi Tahu, my tribal dialect. The story is about Pourakahua, who is transformed into a spirit bird that flies to Aotearoa, New Zealand in search of her own kind. In my interpretation, she flies up the Ōpihi river, meeting a host of colourful creatures living in caves and limestone rock shelters, pursued by a bevy of bird-hunters. TE REREKA WAIRUA O POURAKAHUA is informed and inspired by the ancient rock-art from the South Canterbury region. To access the bi-lingual pictorial manuscript of this audio-book and other promotional material go to: www.maorirockartpuppets.com


For licensing agreements to stage public performances contact:

PLAYMARKET,   PO BOX 9767, WELLINGTON 6141, NEW ZEALAND

[email protected]


This audiobook was produced by Jeffrey Addison for

AOTEAROA KINESTHETIC EDUCATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED

(AKEELTD) www.akeeltd.com