3. POSSIBLE FUTURES

The possibility for the futures of haka theatre these days are very positive. Making it a normality like kapa haka I think is very likely. Kapa haka is already popular and once there is a doorway to the acting arena that is more accessible to that audience, then we will see a rise in haka theatre making presences in the arts world. A possible future that I would love to see is that it just being theatre and not having that label, I reckon once that happens that’s when we will know that haka theatre has been well normalized.

How to make acting a normal reality in our communities where acting is not common? I believe building bridges and making those connections with the māori world view and the pākehā world view and creating that balance because together we can tell great stories and I also see as it spreading that awareness of doing things with equity and togetherness. Simply, going into the communities and running workshops and making safe spaces to learn and play with the art of acting because their ancestors were great actors and with a bit of guidance I feel will give them a boost forward or a taste of this form of art. By building those connections will give more opportunities to have more māori come into these spaces of the arts where they are not too involved with. Māori theatre is defined as a storytelling art that combines elements of traditional purakau and elements of pakiwaitara which forms the purposes of informal and formal storytelling. We see that kapahaka swings more to the formal aspects of the arts maintain Maori knowledge and Maori genealogy. Additionally, if we can find that bridge to the Haka theatre world then I see that as a great future for Maori performing arts because Haka theatre tends to extend outside the box to a more informal approach which bends the traditions and adds elements within a contemporary setting. Furthermore, this definitely challenges the status quo. We can argue that today’s Kapa Haka and Haka theatre a driven by colonisation which has affect Māori cultures representation in society, but if we can bring awareness and focus to the next generation of storytellers then Māori can keep voicing their stories through the arts with more impact with more audiences with more like minded people. At the end of the day the power of storytelling is unison which is the foundation of kapa haka which can be transferred to haka theatre. Lastly, times are changing already more māori plays are coming to the surface and more māori are slowly making their way to the theatres and also more non māori are finding interest in māori style of theatre which is already a win. Continually, leading to more funding given out for more indigenousness pieces where it gives us that platform to express our views.

Which leaves me with the question as a possible future for Haka theatre what is the next phase?