Waiora - The Homeland is being performed at Hannah Playhouse in Wellington as part of indigenous performing arts festival Kia Mau, which Kouka invited the group to open.
The first performance was on June 1 and the last was on Saturday night. .
"It was a huge buzz, they were on a high. It was a perfect opening night. I've done about 30 opening nights in this building and I've never had one like it. It was an incredible opening night."
Wāhine Works, a production company of the ex-WGHS students, tirelessly fundraised to take the play to the capital and struggled to come up with the full $40,000 they needed.
But because those involved saw it as a huge opportunity they were prepared to forgo payment and hoped ticket sales would allow the cast and crew to go home with some money in their pocket.
Walker said it highlighted the fact there needed to be more investment in the arts.
"I personally feel that it is nowhere near ideal that they will be the last to be paid for their effort and what they will be paid will be an absolute pittance. We, New Zealanders, are abusing our artists," he said.
Walker said while Wellington was known for the arts, Whangārei could easily have the same reputation.
