KIA ORA

Kia Ora = “be well” or “good health” and it’s mostly used for “Hello!”.
We learned this phrase at the unforgettable “Tamaki heritage village” in Ferrymead in Christchurch. In this village the actors tell a story called “Lost in our own land”. But it’s not like a normal show or a musical. There is no stage and no fences and you can move free, talk with the maori and have a look by your own (in the houses…). I think we call it today “interactive edutainment”.
In the beginning the warriors of the radical chief “Te Awhuri” invites the audience with loud screams and the typical maori-faces. Really scary, like you can see in the pictures.
During the whole story a maori-women is guiding the people though the show, with a some explanations and storytelling. The story is about the maori history and how their lives changed after the “white men” arrived. The story sets in a small village named “Matuku Moana” which later becomes a small town. The story mentions all kinds of problems the maori have had. Such like getting guns, horrible deceases, conflicts between each other, alcohol and land occupation by the “white men” (they called it “property trade”). After the story is told, everybody gets together and a “traditional” dinner is served. Here you have the chance to talk with the actors again and you can hear a lot of interesting stories.Altogether we really enjoyed this event an recommend everybody to go through this experience, when your in Christchurch.

Kia Ora