If Graham Henry ever needs extra grunt in the All Blacks coaching staff, he could call in Te Kura o Otangarei teacher Moana Clark.
With oversize plastic "cauliflower" ears tucked under a headband and a rough, tough attitude, she sends up all rugby coaches as she bosses a team of youngsters
in a school stage production.
She is a scream. But the real stars are the boys and girls in football jerseys who respond to their carping coach with humour and pearls of wisdom.
Their performance is eclipsed only by the stagecraft and costumes of the school's other 170 primary pupils portraying Te Whare Tapu o Ngapuhi (The Sacred House of Ngapuhi).
The children are in 10 groups, each telling a tale about a significant Ngapuhi maunga (mountain). Every story contains an insight into improving human abilities such as strength, knowledge and honour and the antics of Ms Clark and her team link the diverse scenarios.
It was sparkling entertainment at the dress rehearsal yesterday before public performances at a 1pm matinee today and 6pm shows in the school hall tonight and tomorrow.
Principal Marama Reweti-Martin said the maunga encompassing Ngapuhi had been studied in the kura's three te reo Maori total immersion and seven bilingual classes this year.
Maori held the view that people needed to learn from the past to create the future and the stage production gave a modern twist to traditional stories.
Mrs Reweti-Martin said the kura was fortunate to have experienced Whangarei drama teacher Robert Pollock involved in the show.
His script for the rugby team gave the production flow and cohesion, binding the 10 separate maunga scenarios written by teachers and school administrators.
"We've had input from everyone," she said.
The production had uncovered local talent, with school cleaner Rachel Matthews creating "amazing" costumes and administration officer Hone Tata excelling with music and radio station sounds for the stage show.
Admission to Te Whare Tapu o Ngapuhi costs $5 for adults and $3 for primary school children.
