A "singing, dancing, kapa haka extravaganza" set firmly in Northland and exploring the issues facing young Maori is coming to Kawakawa this week.
Called Kura Toa (Warrior School), this year's Bay of Islands College production is based on a novel of the same name by Tim Tipene.
It was adapted and given a Far North flavour by Kawakawa's Jasmine Maunsell, who is also the director, and choreographed by her brother Horrace.
The Maunsell family are the creative geniuses behind recent musicals Grease and The Sound of Music at Kawakawa Primary School. The production has a cast of 65 from the college's drama, Maori performing arts and music departments.
Head of English Ros MacEachern said Kura Toa had "spoken to the students' hearts".
"Jasmine team-taught it to a Year 10 Maori medium class and fell in love with it, as we all have. It spoke to her, as it spoke to all our students."
She placed the story in Kawakawa and turned it into a "singing, dancing, kapa haka extravaganza" showcasing the college's best talent.
The show used a mix of recorded contemporary music, traditional Maori instruments, and songs by Kiwi bands Six60, Fat Freddy's Drop and Trinity Roots played live by the school jazz ensemble.
"It's the story about 15-year-old Haki who has no sense of connection, and thinks he's useless and powerless. He transforms into Haki the warrior, who has a sense of self and connection to the land and his ancestors," Ms MacEachern said.
The story hinges on Haki's quest to regain a taonga, given to him by his nana but stolen after a car crash.
Much of the action, including an epic kapa haka battle scene, takes place at Ruapekapeka Pa south of Kawakawa.
As well as the central theme of young Maori rediscovering their culture and sense of purpose, the production touches on gritty issues such as domestic violence, drink-driving and the Affco lockout, and is sprinkled with Kiwi cultural references including movie Boy and the "Ghost Chips" drink-driving ad.
As well as putting on a great show, Ms MacEachern said the Year 10-13 students were earning NCEA credits in drama, Maori performing arts and music, while the backstage crew were being assessed for costumes, set design, lighting and sound.
"It's a real collaborative effort between all the students and departments, and a lot of hard work," she said.
The author had given his permission to adapt the story and had visited Kawakawa to talk to the students.
"He was really honoured. He loved the script and he loved what we'd done to make it local."
Kura Toa, 6.30pm tomorrow, Thursday and Friday, Bay of Islands College gym. Entry $5, children $2. Two matinees for primary schools have sold out.