Waenga: Empowering Rangatahi Voices Through Political Theatre

A compelling new stage production, Waenga, is encouraging rangatahi to engage with societal issues and exercise their right to vote in the upcoming November election. Co-directed by Regan Taylor and Jim Moriarty, and written by Hariata and Tamati Moriarty, the play explores social justice and political themes through the lens of young Māori.

https://youtu.be/Wsn8GZwEm8g

Pūrongo nā Te Kakenga Kawiti-Bishara, Multimedia Reporter.

Regan Taylor, who co-directs the production, explains the motivation behind the play: "Waenga was written in response to the Government changing, the last Government into the current, Hariata and Tamati were thinking, do rangatahi know how Government works?".

He reflects on the necessity of the production, adding, "I’m saddened that we have to make these plays, that we are holding up a mirror to society and ourselves, an opportunity for people to have a good look at what society is doing or how it’s doing for us, or how it’s not working for us."

The show has evolved significantly, with co-creator Hariata Moriarty noting its development: "He whakaari nō te whare tāpere, so this is like the fourth or fifth iteration that we’ve done of this whakaari, originally it was a two hander with my brother and I performing the roles alongside our musician”.

Hariata highlights the importance of the play's focus, stating, "The reason why there’s so many rangatahi telling the story is because the foundation of the story is about rangatahi, it follows rangatahi Māori."

By providing a platform for rangatahi, the production aims to validate their lived experiences and encourage civic participation. 

As Hariata Moriarty aptly puts it, "This year we’re really lucky we get to vote, we get to vote in this country so I hope this whakaari helps people to think about that and engage with politics."