An entertaining culture

Tu Tangata, Issue 16, 1 March 1984, Page 59

An entertaining culture

By May Parakoti-Lewis

Karen Waaka is into culture in a big way. She is a sixth former at Rotorua Girls’ High and a member of a cultural group. She also performs with the Rotorua International Maori Entertainers Group and when she leaves school she’s keen to find a job in promoting Maori culture. Karen’s parents, who lead the cultural group, have encouraged her to make other people aware of the Maori way of life. Her mother, Maureen Kingi, was Miss NZ in 1962 and her father, John Waaka designed the ‘korero mai’ badges, put out to promote the speaking of the Maori language. At school, Karen is a member of CATCH, a group trying to bring different cultural groups together within the school. “It is important to learn about other kinds of people because New Zealand is becoming a multi-cultural society.”

The professional culture group in which she performs gives shows every night at a Rotorua hotel. There are over 50 members but they work to a roster to make up a 20 person concert party. “My school work is doing all right but I often find myself watching the group when I should be at home.” Karen has lived in Rotorua all her life and is used to tourism. “I think that we have the chance to show people a bit of Maori culture although we only have an hour to do it during the performance.” Karen knows they are catering for the tourists but feels that New Zealanders can also learn something when they watch the shows. “Many New Zealanders don’t understand what Maori people value and why.” This is one of the reasons Karen wants a career in the tourist industry. “I want a job which promotes our culture.” Karen went to Japan in 1981 with the culture group. There she realised how two different cultures could be alike. “In one part of Japan there are old women who have tattoos on their chins, just like the few kuia left here with the moko.”