NGĀI TAHU 32 (2004)
The principal Māori iwi of the South Island
“Ngāi Tahu 32 was the first full-length work by Atamira Dance Company, presented in 2004. The kaupapa for the work was inspired by my whakapapa and by the on-going effects of land purchases in Te Waipounamu which occurred between 1844 to 1863. The work was also inspired by stories handed down about my tūpuna, including their resilience, struggles and determination within the context of this 20 year period during which approximately 80% of Te Waipounamu was sold to the Crown, in nine land sales.
In particular Ngāi Tahu 32 followed my tupuna Wiremu Pōtiki, and his journey through time carrying the coins for the sale of his land. The work travels from the struggles of his time to a vision of hope for the future, in the form of a child who shines brightly on the horizon, Hineiteataariari.
The mishandling of the land sales and the allocation of reserves and resources which were promised as part of these sales, led to whakapapa being formally recorded to progress tribal land claims. Whakapapa files were created, added to and restored over the long 150 year period of Te Kereme (the Ngāi Tahu claim). The whakapapa of the Pōtiki whānau is contained within the file named Ngāi Tahu 32, which is why I gave the work this name.”
- [Louise Potiki Bryant (Choreographer)] (/LouisePotikiBryant)