Ihimaera says hometown would be pleased with Whale Rider show

Author Witi Ihimaera says his former home town Gisborne would have been proud of the stage adaptation of his 1987 book The Whale Rider which opened in Auckland at the weekend.

Saturday's opening night audience was swelled by two busloads of supporters from Gisborne and Whangara - the East Coast settlement from where the story of Paikea, the "whale rider", was drawn.

"This is the first big budget show of its kind to be produced in New Zealand and the attendance of elders and whanau from Whangara was like a blessing," said Ihimaera, a University of Auckland professor who is also associate producer for The Whale Rider: On Stage.

"We continue to be humbled by Whangara's support and by all the well wishers who sent warm messages from the district."

The show follows the internationally successful film adaptation of Ihimaera's novel, which was shot in and around Gisborne three years ago.

Though based in Auckland and produced by Auckland company Logan Brewer, the stage version has involved many Gisborne people.

"Some of the investors are from Gisborne, there are Gisborne people in the cast, Hone Taumaunu (cultural adviser for the film) acted as our guide and mentor, and Henare Te Ua, Ope Maxwell, Ngapo, Pimia and Tapeta Wehi, and Puka Moeau and his wife Pania, did an incredible job putting the kapa haka team together," Ihimaera said.

Saturday's premiere was dedicated to Whangara, and Ihimaera said that members of the cast, crew and production team were racked with nerves.

"But from the first moment that Paikea 'flew' in on his animatronic whale to the finale, when a rousing haka got everybody to their feet, there was fantastic applause," he said.

"Since then, word of mouth and reviews have made the show a hot ticket in Auckland where all the matinees and many of the nights have sold out."

Auckland Girls Grammar student Joylene Davis, 13, plays the lead role of Kahu - named Paikea in the movie, but originally Kahu in the book - and she won praise in a New Zealand Herald review.

Potentially the show's harshest critic could have been Hone Taumaunu, kaumautua of Whangara's Ngati Konohi people, but after the weekend opening he was convinced.

"Overall I found the show absolutely enthralling ... a magnificent spectacle," said Mr Taumaunu who, with his 80 travelling companions, stayed at Auckland University's Waipapa Marae.

"But while it was spectacular, there were also some very poignant moments that touched my heart."

For Mr Taumaunu - who was instrumental in the establishment of Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve, at Whangara - there was an extra special message.

"I think every conservationist should go and see it ... There is a strong emphasis on the environment and looking after its flora and fauna, about the respect we should have for Tangaroa (Maori guardian of the sea) and his children."

Producer Logan Brewer said the show, backed by Asia Pacific Partners and international and local investors, had cost more than $2.5 million to put together.

"This is the first major indigenous New Zealand stage production and we're sure that it will be welcomed not only here, but overseas," the producer said.

- NZPA