The Mooncake and the Kumara

Overview

Told in a rich mixture of English, Maori and Cantonese, The Mooncake and the Kumara is the debut play by Maori-Chinese playwright Mei-Lin Te Puea Hansen.

Loosely based on the story of her grandparents' interracial relationship, it follows a Maori-Chinese love affair that sprouts among rows of potatoes. It’s a story about “history, duty, secrets and the delicate balance needed to grow families.”

The play started as a ten-minute skit, co-written with Te Puea Hansen's cousin Kiel McNaughton, and went on to win Best Drama in the Short + Sweet competition. The performance of the new full length version will be a world premiere.

The performance will be also audio described/signed, as part of Auckland Arts Festival's mission to include works that speak to Auckland's diverse communities.