Whangarei performers $22,000 away from taking Waiora to Wellington

Phoenix Karaitiana playing Rongo in Waiora last year. Photo/Michael Cunningham

Young Whangarei performers are $22,000 away from taking popular show Waiora to Wellington.

And with about two weeks left to hit their $40,000 goal, the director of the play is feeling hopeful.

Waiora - The Homeland, written by Hone Kouka, was last year's Whangarei Girls High School (WGHS) graduation production. It was so popular it was brought back for a second season, a first for WGHS.

Although many of the cast and crew have now finished school, Wahine Works, a production company of the ex-WGHS students, have been trying to raise $40,000 to take Waiora to Wellington after Mr Kouka invited the cast and crew to open prestigious indigenous performing arts festival, Kia Mau.

"We're halfway there. We still need to raise $22,000," director and Whangarei Girls' High School drama teacher Bill Walker said.

"My feeling is we're going to make it, there's just too much of a strong vibe coming."

Phoenix Karaitiana playing Rongo in Waiora last year. Photo/Michael Cunningham

The $40,000 will cover the venue, transportation costs - including getting the set and cast and crew of 20 people to Wellington - promotion, and technician fees.

Mr Walker said so far they have received $5000 from a local business person, $5000 from the Kia Mau festival, free services to the value of $5000, and $2000 from the Givealittle page.

The five young women who set up Wahine Works have also together put in $4000 of their own money.

"Everyone is feeling positive. We're all pretty excited about it. What happened was April 1 woke us all up and we thought 'we open on June 1, that's only eight weeks away'," said Mr Walker.

Mr Walker said there would be eight days of performances if the cast and crew make it to Wellington.

He was hoping to raise another $5000 from crowdfunding, and $17,000 from two grants Wahine Works has applied for and/or a main sponsor.

There is also a fundraising concert being held at WGHS next Tuesday which punters can buy tickets to through the school.

Mr Walker said if Wahine Works does not meet the fundraising target, and cannot go to Wellington, all money will be returned to donors.