Two Powerful Plays. One Kaupapa!

Public Performances and Facilitated Discussion Two Powerful Plays. One Kaupapa. As part of Te Whāriki Manawāhine o Hauraki's White Ribbon Month events, we invite our communities to see Not in Our Neighbourhood and Tū Tāne. These powerful plays by Jamie MacCaskill (Ngāti Tamaterā) are based on the real experiences of Hauraki whānau. These plays use social justice theatre to demonstrate the realities, difficulties and strengths of wāhine and tāne whose lives have been lived in the shadow of intergenerational trauma, mahi tūkino and abuse in state and faith-based care. They also show resilience, courage, hope and healing that can emerge when people, whānau and communities choose a different way forward. The award-winning Not in Our Neighbourhood contains powerful wahine pūrākau of resilience, celebrating the strength of women who have faced hardship yet held on to hope, whānau and healing. Tū Tāne (the companion play) is an honest exploration of tāne taking a journey that demands accountability, restoration, connection and transformation. Together these plays prompt us to think about the effects of violence and trauma and the potential for healing, belonging and positive change.  These are not stories of victims. They are stories of courage, survivorship, healing and the power of people and communities to take-back their future. Facilitated Community Discussion: Reflect. Challenge. Connect. Act. After the performances, the audience is invited to stay for a facilitated community discussion. This is a space to enable people to reflect on and work through the messages from the plays in a safe and supportive way. We will look at the themes, emotions and questions that arise and think about what they mean for our whānau, communities and future generations. Discussion prompts may include:

• What pūrākau in particular struck you the most in terms of message or theme?
• What did these stories tell us about our communities, whānau and ourselves?
• What gives you hope in terms of healing and preventing violence?
• What's one insight/action/commitment you can take away from these stories?

This is an opportunity to listen, learn, share and reflect together in a spirit of respect, understanding and shared responsibility. Aroha Teetehi, ki Teetehi. Manaaki Message:Trauma-Informed Content Notice   These pūrākau are about experiences of trauma, loss, violence, healing, resilience and hope. They can impact on us in personal, emotional, cultural or spiritual ways and may connect to our own experiences and those of people we know. We invite you to hold these stories respectfully as you take care of your own wellbeing and the wellbeing of others. You are welcome to:

• Take a moment for yourself if needed.
• Step out and return when you're ready.
• Connect with whānau, friends or support people.
• Participate in the discussion in a way that feels safe and comfortable for you.

Support will be on hand throughout the event. Let us care for ourselves and one another as we go through these stories together. Me tiaki tātou i a tātou anō.