Hone Kouka
Encyclopedia
Hone Kouka is an acclaimed New Zealand
playwright. He has written 13 plays which have been staged in New Zealand and worldwide including Canada, South Africa, New Caledonia and Britain. Kouka's plays have won multiple awards at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards
, the 'Oscars' of New Zealand theatre. Kouka has also worked as a theatre director and producer. In September 2009, Kouka was honoured with the Insignia of the New Zealand Order of Merit
for services to contemporary Māori theatre.
Kouka has ancestral ties to the Māori tribes of Ngati Porou
, Ngati Kahungunu
and Ngati Raukawa
.
in New Zealand's South Island, Kouka graduated in English from the University of Otago
in 1988. Later, he graduated from Toi Whakaari:NZ Drama School
in 1990.
during the 1990s and won numerous awards at the prestigious Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards. In the lead role of Rongomai was award winning actress Nancy Brunning
. Nga Tangata Toa was inspired by Henrik Ibsen's
play The Vikings of Helgeland.
Nga Tangata Toa was later re-staged at Downstage Theatre
in 2006 under the direction of James Beaumont.
In 1996, Kouka was commissioned by the New Zealand International Arts Festival to write Waiora, which later toured nationally and internationally in 1997. Waiora became the first play in a trilogy which include Home Fires (1998) and The Prophet.
Other plays include Waiora, Hide 'n' Seek, co-written with Hori Ahipene
and Five Angels.
Kouka is the founder and Artistic Director of independent theatre production company Tawata Productions, staging new New Zealand plays nationally and internationally.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
playwright. He has written 13 plays which have been staged in New Zealand and worldwide including Canada, South Africa, New Caledonia and Britain. Kouka's plays have won multiple awards at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards
Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards
The Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards are the theatre "Oscars" in New Zealand and honour the best stage talent and productions in the capital Wellington....
, the 'Oscars' of New Zealand theatre. Kouka has also worked as a theatre director and producer. In September 2009, Kouka was honoured with the Insignia of the New Zealand Order of Merit
New Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...
for services to contemporary Māori theatre.
Kouka has ancestral ties to the Māori tribes of Ngati Porou
Ngati Porou
Ngāti Porou is a Māori iwi traditionally located in the East Cape and Gisborne regions of the North Island of New Zealand. Ngāti Porou has the second-largest affiliation of any iwi in New Zealand, with 71,910 registered members in 2006...
, Ngati Kahungunu
Ngati Kahungunu
Ngāti Kahungunu is a Māori iwi located along the eastern coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The iwi is traditionally centred in the Hawke’s Bay and Tararua and Wairārapa regions....
and Ngati Raukawa
Ngati Raukawa
Ngāti Raukawa is a Māori iwi with traditional bases in the Waikato, Taupo and Manawatū/Horowhenua regions of New Zealand. In 2006, 29,418 Māori registered their affiliation with Ngāti Raukawa.- Early History :...
.
Background
Born in BalcluthaBalclutha, New Zealand
Balclutha is a town in Otago, it lies towards the end of the Clutha River on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is about halfway between Dunedin and Invercargill on the Main South Line railway, State Highway 1 and the Southern Scenic Route...
in New Zealand's South Island, Kouka graduated in English from the University of Otago
University of Otago
The University of Otago in Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest university with over 22,000 students enrolled during 2010.The university has New Zealand's highest average research quality and in New Zealand is second only to the University of Auckland in the number of A rated academic researchers it...
in 1988. Later, he graduated from Toi Whakaari:NZ Drama School
Toi Whakaari
Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School is New Zealand's National Drama School. It is located in Wellington, New Zealand Toi Whakaari offers training in Acting, Directing, Costume Construction, Entertainment Technology, Performing Arts Management and Design for Stage & Screen.The School offers the following...
in 1990.
Plays
Kouka's play Nga Tangata Toa (The Warrior People) is heralded as a masterpiece in New Zealand theatre. Directed by veteran theatre director Colin McColl (NZ Laureate), Nga Tangata Toa was first staged at Taki Rua Theatre in WellingtonWellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
during the 1990s and won numerous awards at the prestigious Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards. In the lead role of Rongomai was award winning actress Nancy Brunning
Nancy Brunning
Nancy Brunning is an actress and director who has won awards in film and television and has made a major contribution to the growth of Māori in the arts. Her accolades include Best Actress awards on stage and screen. She won Best Actress at the NZ Film Awards for her lead role in the movie What...
. Nga Tangata Toa was inspired by Henrik Ibsen's
Henrik Ibsen
Henrik Ibsen was a major 19th-century Norwegian playwright, theatre director, and poet. He is often referred to as "the father of prose drama" and is one of the founders of Modernism in the theatre...
play The Vikings of Helgeland.
Nga Tangata Toa was later re-staged at Downstage Theatre
Downstage Theatre
The Downstage Theatre is a theatre in Wellington, New Zealand, and the country's longest running professional theatre, established in 1964.The founders at the inaugural meeting in the Wellington Public Library on 15 May 1964 were actors Peter Bland, Tim Elliott and Martyn Sanderson, with...
in 2006 under the direction of James Beaumont.
In 1996, Kouka was commissioned by the New Zealand International Arts Festival to write Waiora, which later toured nationally and internationally in 1997. Waiora became the first play in a trilogy which include Home Fires (1998) and The Prophet.
Other plays include Waiora, Hide 'n' Seek, co-written with Hori Ahipene
Hori Ahipene
Hori Ahipene is an actor and director in theatre, film and television in New Zealand. He's also an award winning playwright with the Māori play Hide 'n Seek co-written with Hone Kouka.He became a well known face in New Zealand for his dramatic performances in films such as Jubilee as well as parts...
and Five Angels.
Kouka is the founder and Artistic Director of independent theatre production company Tawata Productions, staging new New Zealand plays nationally and internationally.
Published
- 1994 Nga Tangata Toa: Victoria University Press ISBN 0864732783
- 1992 Mauri Tu: Aoraki Press ISBN 0908925018
- 2000 Waiora: Huia PublishersHuia PublishersHuia Publishers is an award-winning independent publishing company based in Wellington, New Zealand. The company was established in 1991 by Robyn Bargh to bring Māori voices in New Zealand literature by promoting Māori writers, Māori language and Māori perspectives.Many of the company’s books...
ISBN 0908975279