Witi Ihimaera to write music production about Waikato River

Witi Ihimaera to write a music production about the Waikato River

Immediate Release 12 September 2016

Opera and kapa haka will come together in a ground-breaking new music drama from acclaimed New Zealand writer Witi Ihimaera, in collaboration with Hamilton composer Janet Jennings, Tom Roa of Waikato-Tainui, and University of Waikato staff and students.

Flowing Water: A story of the Waikato River, tells the history of the Waikato River and all the peoples whom the river has nurtured - Māori, Pākehā and later migrants. Writer Witi Ihimaera says he was inspired to write the music drama as the story is a thrilling one and ideal for development as a musical drama.

“This work has the potential to reflect, through one regional history, the history of New Zealand settlement itself” says Ihimaera.

The work will open with a set piece involving mythic taniwha awaiting the arrival of the Tainui canoe. When the canoe voyagers first felt the river while out at sea, they remarked on the ‘kato’, the pull of the River’s strong current. The Māori word ‘Waikato’ means literally ‘flowing water’.

“I am honoured that Tom Roa and the University kapa haka group, Te Waiora o Te Whare Wānanga, are ensuring that the work thoroughly integrates Tainui kawa, tikanga and history into the script, music and production” says Ihimaera.

The first production will take place in early 2018, and could tie in with Hamilton City River celebrations, as well as some key dates in the Kīngitanga calendar. Opportunities are currently being discussed with relevant stakeholders, including arts festivals nationally, and internationally.

One scene of the performance has been written and will be performed at the University of Waikato, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts this month. Other artists involved in preparing this scene for performance include Rachael Griffiths-Hughes, Francis Cowan, Tiahuia Ropitini, James Tennant, Dame Malvina Major and Glenese Blake.

Composer Janet Jennings says she is excited to have the opportunity to tell through music a wonderful local story that can be taken to the world, and to be able to show the breadth of talent we have here in the Waikato through this production.

“It is wonderful that we have a writer of such a high calibre helping us to tell our story. Witi Ihimaera is able to wrap his magic around the story of the Waikato River, and bring it to life for many to enjoy” says Jennings.

Public and media are welcome to attend the preview scene, 6pm, 30 September 2016, University of Waikato, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts. RSVP to flowingwaterproject@gmail.com

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