A theatrical celebration of the most inspirational female characters to have graced the pages of New Zealand fiction.

Guided by their sharpness of wit; keen powers of observation, and the foresight to bend the elements to their will… Witi’s Wāhine pays tribute the true stars of Ihimaera’s novels – those indominable female characters so beloved by readers.

Lovingly crafted from excerpts from his semi-autobiographical collection of short stories and novels, our heroines will take you on an epic journey across their history, their mythology, their cultural consciousness – as we recognise the passion, truth and spirit of mana wāhine.

Performed by Te Tairāwhiti’s own Mere Boynton, Roimata Fox, Ani-Piki Tuari, Ngapaki Moetara (acclaimed actresses, musicians and kapahaka champions in their own right), Witi’s Wāhine brings to life remarkable female characters from novels such as The Matriarch, Whānau, Pounamu Pounamu and more in an evening that will ignite your deepest instincts of a people in metamorphosis.

Written and directed by Nancy Brunning.

Coproduced by Hāpai Productions and Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival.

Theatre box office and refreshments open one hour before each show.

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