Project: Te Awa Tupua; A Story of the Whanganui Awa
As Form Theatre, we believe in the power of the performing arts to help us connect deeply with our stories of significance. Performing arts journeys build whanaungatanga, foster creativity and resilience, and form us into people of integrity and service.
Our goal is to partner with rangatahi to create meaningful work built on the foundation of our four pou: professional creativity, developing character, belief in a creator, and being grounded in the tikanga of this land.
From the beginning of the 2026 school year, we brought together a group of rangatahi to collaborate on a devised performance centred on Te Awa Tupua and its journey towards legal personhood.
Our creative process began with research, storytelling, and exploring the core question: what message does this kōrero have for us today?
From there, we worked collaboratively with the rangatahi to devise the performance elements. Over six months of intensive workshops and rehearsal, participants learned multi-disciplinary performance skills, including choreography, waiata, movement embodying significant historical events, and lead vocal roles. These elements combined to bring the history and kaupapa of Te Awa Tupua to life through music, movement, and spoken word.
For most rangatahi, this was their first experience preparing for and performing on a professional stage. By the time they stepped into the spotlight, they did so with pride, courage, and a deeper connection to both their team and the kaupapa. This transformative process reflects our goals in developing character and resilience through professional creative practice.
The journey culminated in a brilliant performance at the Regional Showquest Competition at the Regent Theatre in Palmerston North, and led to an invitation to share their work at the Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi at He Pukenga Wai, the Whanganui River Symposium 2026.
We want to acknowlegde the recognition that this performance has gained
Regional Showquest Competition
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Recognition in live music
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Excellence in technology lighting design
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First place at Junior Regionals
National Showquest Competition
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Recognition in live music
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Excellence in original composition
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Excellence in culture
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Four of our leads won the Whetū Rangatahi (star of the show) award
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Third place at Junior Nationals
We extend a mihi to Matua Hayden Hepburn and Te Tumuaki o Te Kura o Rutherford for partnering with us in this project, and for the mātauranga Matua Hayden has shared.
We also acknowledge Gerrard Albert, whose online work provided a vital foundation for our source material, as well as Matua Kea Renata, Kaiako o Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, for his expertise and support.
Kei te mihi, kei te mihi, kei te mihi atu rā.