Press Release – NZ Maritime Museum
The Māori performing arts group HIWA are resident at the New Zealand Maritime Museum for a brief six weeks from mid-January 2021, dazzling with their maritime-themed production
Hiwa Ki Uta, Hiwa Ki Tai. The show explores stories of Māui, who fished up Te Ika a Māui the North Island and those of Polynesian wayfinders, who colonised the Pacific using their profound knowledge of the sea, celestial navigation, and naval architecture. Additionally, HIWA demonstrate the role of the guitar in contemporary storytelling.
HIWA are highly skilled with tī rākau stick games and poi, both of which were practised by warriors to develop the skills required when wielding Māori weaponry such as the taiaha or long fighting staff or when manning waka. Swirling of poi and the mastering of various poi patterns and movements, for example, made wrists more supple, as well as increasing dexterity and agility.