Waikato River's story told in musical drama

Flowing Water cast, from left, Amy Thomas, Johan Niemand, Mike Williams, Greg Hack, Maria Huata and Te Ao Apaapa.

Acclaimed Māori writer Witi Ihimaera tells the story of the Waikato River in a musical drama premiering at the Hamilton Gardens Art Festival this Friday.

The Whale Rider author has joined forces with Waipa historian Tom Roa, Cambridge director John Drummond, Auckland composer Janet Jennings and University of Waikato staff and students.

Acclaimed Māori writer Witi Ihimaera tells the story of the Waikato River in musical drama Flowing Water.

Flowing Water tells the story of the people who have been nurtured by the Waikato River — Māori, Pakeha and migrants.

The bilingual production brings together kapa haka, film, dance, opera and acting.

University of Waikato Māori and Indigenous Studies professor Tom Roa was invited to direct the Māori scenes.

University of Waikato Māori and Indigenous Studies professor Tom Roa was invited to direct the Māori scenes.

Tom grew up in Otorohanga and spent much of his childhood in the Waipa Valley and around the Waipa River, which connects to the Waikato River.

Writer Witi Ihimaera was delighted to work with Tom.

"I don't think Janet Jennings and I would've been able to put Flowing Water together if it had not been for Tom," Witi says.

"Janet and I don't come from Waikato, so it was important for us to have somebody who could assure the tikanga and the wairua, and the traditional, historical and political aspects were sourced from Waikato, from Tainui-Maniapoto."

Witi says the first half of Flowing Water is a tribute to the Kīngitanga — the Māori King movement aiming to unite Māori under a single sovereign.

"2018 is the 160th year of the Kīngitanga," Witi says.

The second half is a tribute to WWI, as 2018 is the final centennial of WWI.

Flowing Water features a large cast of leading performers with strong Waipa links.

From Cambridge are cast members Chris Young, Megan Goldsman and Anna Atkinson.

The Te Awamutu connections are Alice Collins and Nathan Smith.

Ohaupo's Carpenter family is also involved. Timothy Carpenter is chorus director, and has a role, and Rob and Claire Carpenter are in the cast.

Flowing Water is on the Rhododendron Lawn, Hamilton Gardens, on February 16 and 17 at 8pm. Tickets at eventfinda.co.nz