Meet Our Kaimahi!
In honour of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, we are highlighting our kaimahi at Te Whare Tapere I Te Taha O Pupukemoana (The PumpHouse Theatre) and their roles at the theatre and in life!
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. What began as a single Māori Language Day in 1972 grew into a full week by 1975, and 50 years on, we celebrate how far Te Wiki o te Reo Māori has come.
Have a read to get to know our lovely team!
HELENA
Helena is our Whakahaerenga (Administrator).
She is also Māmā, a Zumba lover, and has spent some time working as a Kiriwhakaari Tūpoto (Extra Actor).
Helena can be described as pārekareka (entertaining, enjoyable, engaging, compelling, fun!)
JAMES
James is our Kaiwhakahaere Whare Tapere (Theatre Manager).
He is also a tuakana (older brother), and he spends his free time being a Kaihautū (producer) and Kaitohu (Director) for many incredible theatre productions.
James can be described as tohunga (to be expert, proficient, adept).
MAGS
Mags is our Hapori Whakauru Whakahohe (Community Engagement Coordinator).
She’s a very talented Kaitohu (Director), Kaiwhakahaere Atamira (Stage Manager), and a Kaiako Whakaari (Drama Teacher). She is also a wahine, tuahine, rapu matauranga, and Kaitautoko rīki (league supporter of the mighty Wigan Warriors!)
Mags can be described as hōhonu (deep, esoteric, profound).
MARK
Mark is our Kaihāpai o Muri (Venue Tech) and Kaitiaki (Caretaker).
Some of you may have also seen them tread the boards as a Kaiwhakaari (Actor) or watched their show for Matariki – .co.nz – in which they were the Kaitito Whakaari (Playwright). Mark also enjoys ngā kēmu ātea (video games) in their spare time.
Mark can be described as whakatoi (cheeky/mischievous!)
TASH
Tash is our Kairuruku Pureitanga (Venue Hire Coordinator/Events & Programme Coordinator)
Tash is also Kaiāwhina Hōtaka (programme assistant) at Basement Theatre, pou mahi toi (supporter of the arts), kaituhi (sometimes!)
Tash has described herself as hōhā (wearisome, irksome, vexatious, a nuisance! [she’s not!])
MEG
Meg is our Kairuruku Hokohoko (Marketing Coordinator) and Kaiwhakahaere Tīkiti (Ticketing Manager).
Some of you may have also seen her tread the boards as a Kaiwhakaari (Actor) or watched some of her vibrant shows in which she has been Kaitohu (Director).
Meg can be described as ngangahau (spirited, zealous, vibrant, vivacious, lively, animated!)
We asked them all a few pātai!
What’s your unofficial job title?
Helena: Biscuit buyer
James: Kaiwhakaoti rapanga (problem solver)
Mags: Kaipupuri hitori (Historian)
Mark: Picker-upper/putter-downer
Tash: The Coach 💪
Meg: Marketing Witch/Chief Goober
What emoji sums up your job here?
Helena: 🤑
James: 💸
Mags: 🤪
Mark: ⚒️
Tash: 📋
Meg: 🎟️
What emoji best represents you?
Helena: 💃
James: 🚀
Mags: 🐧
Mark: 🍞
Tash: 💖 (at least according to my friends)
Meg: 🫧
What object in the theatre has the most dramatic energy?
Helena: The Curtains
James: Always a mirrorball!
Mags: The backstage monitor, cos it has made my life 1000% easier.
Mark: The catwalk!!! (but truthfully, probably Meg)
Tash: The house rag
Meg: Probably me, ha!
What theatre show title best represents your life?
Helena: Comedy of Errors
James: Much Ado About Nothing
Mags: The Play That Went Wrong!
Mark: Fleabag
Tash: West Side Story (I live out West!)
Meg: Kinky Boots
