19 Feb 2017

New dance work explores urban and rural Māori childhood

From Standing Room Only, 1:35 pm on 19 February 2017

Mapihi Kelland created the dance work WHARE after talking to Cook Island Māori and New Zealand Māori youth about issues ranging from depression and domestic violence to homelessness.

In WHARE, the young choreographer compares the different experiences of urban youth and rangatahi who have a more traditionally collaborative lifestyle.

Mapihi tells Lynn Freeman it's a very personal project for her, as someone who grew up in rural New Zealand and struggled initially to adapt to life in cities.

WHARE premieres in Wellington on 23 February as part of the Putahi Festival.