Paniora

Overview

Paniora is a vibrant blend of dance, drama, magic realism and soul-stirring music. The title refers to the little-known group of around 16,000 Maori who are descendants of Manuel Jos de Frutos Huerta, a Spaniard who emigrated to New Zealand in 1835.

Prosperous, passionate and proud of their Spanish Maori heritage, the Hotai-Martinez family live in an elegant homestead on the East Coast where they speak Spanish, eat tapas and dance flamenco. Yet beneath their pride they have demons to face and the one thing that can bring their spirit together is the thing that's driving them apart.

Featuring leading Maori actors and dancers from Okareka Dance Company, Paniora was written by Arts Foundation Laureate Briar Grace-Smith and directed by Auckland Theatre Company's Colin McColl.