Encouraging positive life qualities

Wellington based artist, Matiu Te Huki has over 30 years experience in the music industry and as a national and international kapa haka exponent and teacher. Matiu is the founder, playwright, composer and production director of Te Whanau Puawai Ora Maori Performing Arts Trust where he creates touring shows for schools addressing youth mental health issues using music, dance, kapahaka, theatre to uplift and inspire youth in schools around New Zealand.

Matiu’s latest creation is a dynamically engaging performance using live music, humour, Maori story telling and audience participation that weaves its way through the story of Māui and the Sun with an ancient twist. “Did Māui really hit the Sun?”

Encouraging positive life qualities such as listening, gratitude, kindness, courage, patience, teamwork with a strong focus non violent ways of processing heavy emotions such as anger, fear and sadness through haka, movement and noise, this performance will leave tamariki with tools to positively take on the challenges of life with the power and control we need when facing overwhelming situations like someone calling us names or having to catch and slow down the Sun.