Taonga: Dust, Water, Wind

TAONGA is a stunning, mesmerising and powerful piece of Māori Contemporary Dance Theatre. Inspired by Potiki-Bryant’s Aunt Rona and her 80 years of life living on the East Coast of the South Island, TAONGA weaves together dance and taonga pūoro. The legend of Rona and theMoon under pins the work, in a poetic display of dance. A Dance piece in three parts, Dust (Part One), Water (Part Two) and Wind (part three) - in each section the dancers are accompanied by Taonga Pūoro.

A unique tale, each section will explore the notion of preciousness, change and intuition.

Dust is set in a world between worlds–between dream-state and reality. Accompanied by whale-bone and stone, the dancers inhabit a bone land–the space between living and dying where things are communicated by symbol and metaphor.

Water is inspired by the legend of Rona cursing the moon, woven with Potiki Bryant’s Aunt’s memories of washing day at Kaka Point, and her mother using the healing waters of the ocean to treat polio. The taonga for this section are the gourds in all their forms including poi awhiowhio and hue.

Wind is a dramatic and energetic section inspired by the legend of Rona’s capture by the moon.The taonga for this section will be the wind instruments, such as the koauau.

With a powerful original sound-score by Paddy Free, (Winner of Best Music at Tempo Awards 2007 for his composition of Whakairo), and features live music by Richard Nunns. A tribute to Potiki-Bryant’s Aunt Rona and the People of the South Island, TAONGA reflects our desire to hold onto the values of the old ways in our modern world.