KAUPAPA | ABOUT

A rural marae has hit the jackpot – if they pass one final hurdle, that is. The haukāinga must convince the Government’s Chief Executive of the Department of ‘Whenua, Whakapapa, and Whatever’ that they are the true descendants of their eponymous ancestor. If successful, the vast coastline in their rohe reverts to their ownership, garnering millions of dollars… in back rent alone.

NGĀ RORIRORI (‘the idiots’ in te reo Pākehā - alternatively ‘fools’ or ‘dimwits’ if you will) is a comical foray into one whānau’s relationship with their whenua, and a big brother’s quest to turn their coastline into a cash cow. The Idiots in question are Manuela and Pillow Rorirori - a sister and brother who also happen to be the only two members of their hapū. The teina, she’s an activist. The big brother, he's a convicted fraudster. The tale begins as Manuela faces Pillow’s return home to their rohe after the crash and burn of his failed business ventures. Manuela desperately tries to hold her whānau together as their ancestral claims are put under the microscope by the Tikanga Police.

The multi-talented cast on stage includes Mycah Keall (Mokomoko, Te Kuia me te Pungawerewere), Sefa Tunupopo (Shifting Centre, Tōrua), Hahna Nichols (New Zealand School of Dance) and Nomuna Amarbat (CHICKBAIT, Asian 8) reprising their roles from the 2022 premiere season, and Manuel Solomon (Shortland Street, The Beautiful Ones), who will join the production for the first time.

Featuring design by Mark McEntyre, Natasha James, MĀ & WYNONA, and Sopheak Seng, NGĀ RORIRORI will be presented throughout Aotearoa in September 2024.

NGĀ TĀNGATA | CAST & CREATIVES

Kaituhi/Kaitohu | Writer/Director — Hone Kouka
Kaihautū | Producer — Mīria George
Kaiwhakaari | Performer — Mycah Keall
Kaiwhakaari | Performer — Sefa Tunupopo
Kaiwhakaari | Performer — Hahna Nichols
Kaiwhakaari | Performer — Manuel Solomon
Kaiwhakaari | Performer — Nomuna Amarbat
Kaiwhakahaere Whakaari | Production Manager — Natasha James
Kaitito Karanga | Karanga Compositions — Sheree Waitoa
Kaiwhakamāori | Translations, Te Reo Māori — Hōhepa Waitoa
Kaitito Puoro | Composer — Reon Bell
Kaitito Puoro | Composer — Maarire Brunning-Kouka
Kaihoahoa Pae Whakaari | Set Designer — Mark McEntyre
Kaihoahoa Tūrama | Lighting Designer — Natasha James
Kaihoahoa Kākahu | Costume Designer/Campaign Stylist — Sopheak Seng