Maxine and Alan Rakiraki. Despite the challenges presented to the entertainment industry last year, there was plenty to celebrate and reflect on at Musical Theatre Oamaru’s 64th AGM last month. Maxine and Alan Rakiraki’s decades of dedication to musical theatre in Oamaru were recognised, as the couple were presented with individual Musical Theatre New Zealand (MTNZ) merit awards as well as life membership of Musical Theatre Oamaru. Mrs Rakiraki has been a member of Musical Theatre Oamaru, formerly known as Oamaru Operatic Society, for more than 40 years. She has been involved in several major productions and theatre restaurant shows, undertaking various roles. In 2017 she won the Otago Southland Theatre Award (OSTA) for best supporting female in a play.