KŪPAPA
The story of Lucy Takiora Lord, a woman of consequence.

“You can learn their language and their ways, pray to their God. You can have their blood running through your very veins. But you will always be’ other’ to them; native, half-caste, rebel. Don’t you see sister?" 

It is 1868 and Lucy “Takiora” Lord has returned to her tūrangawaewae to work alongside the Militia in the Taranaki Land Wars. Fiercely independent and ambitious, Lucy is living a life outside of the social expectations for women of the time. Born of two worlds but belonging to neither, she is determined to define her place to stand on her terms. But at what cost?  

KŪPAPA takes us into the complex world of the first-generation of Māori/Pākeha wāhine who lived out their extraordinary lives, creating their own agency in the birth of this “New Zealand". 

Fascinated by her divisive tupuna and her motivations, renowned performer Nicola Kawana has written her theatrical debut to give voice to the women of this time; readdressing the imbalance of the histories of our wāhine Māori who contributed significantly to the creation of a shared new world for Pākeha and Māori.

First developed at Kōanga Festival 2020, Te Pou Theatre has gathered a team of incredible wāhine theatre makers to bring forth this powerful new work in their newly built theatre venue at Corban Estate Arts Centre.   

Kaituhi // Playwright: Nicola Kawana 
Ringatohu // Director: Erina Daniels
Kaihanga // Designer: Jane Hakaraia
Kaiwhakahaere // Producer: Amber Curreen & Chloe Weavers

Supported by Theresa Gattung, Creative New Zealand and Foundation North.

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Bar will be open 1 hour before show starts serving a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, including 'I Love Pies' hot pies.

ABOUT TE POU THEATRE
Te Pou Theatre is a kaupapa Māori performing arts venue for all that supports the presentation and development of contemporary and community performing arts locally, nationally and internationally from our home in Waitakere, Tāmaki Makaurau.   

ABOUT OUR TICKETING
We want to make seeing theatre as accessible as possible for all.  We subsidise ticket costs for all and have specials available for many groups including Iwi, Whanaunga of Takiora, our Te Pou Hapori (Join here), SheEO and other community groups. Contact us for more info.