Hone Kouka MNZM is a New Zealand playwright. He has written 13 plays
which have been staged in New Zealand and worldwide including Canada,
South Africa, New Caledonia and Britain. Kouka's plays have won
multiple awards at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards, the 'Oscars' of
New Zealand theatre. Kouka has also worked as a theatre director and
producer. In September 2009, Kouka was honoured with the Insignia of
the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to contemporary MÄ ori
theatre.[1]Kouka has ancestral ties to the MÄ ori tribes of Ngati
Porou, Ngati Kahungunu and Ngati Raukawa.Born in Balclutha in New
Zealand's South Island, Kouka graduated in English from the University
of Otago in 1988. Later, he graduated from Toi Whakaari:NZ Drama
School in 1990.[2]Kouka's play Nga Tangata Toa (The Warrior People) is
heralded as a masterpiece in New Zealand theatre.[3] Directed by
veteran theatre director Colin McColl (NZ Laureate), Nga Tangata Toa
was first staged at Taki Rua Theatre in Wellington during the 1990s
and won numerous awards at the prestigious Chapman Tripp Theatre
Awards. In the lead role of Rongomai was award winning actress Nancy
Brunning. Nga Tangata Toa was inspired by Henrik Ibsen's play The
Vikings of Helgeland.[4]
which have been staged in New Zealand and worldwide including Canada,
South Africa, New Caledonia and Britain. Kouka's plays have won
multiple awards at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards, the 'Oscars' of
New Zealand theatre. Kouka has also worked as a theatre director and
producer. In September 2009, Kouka was honoured with the Insignia of
the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to contemporary MÄ ori
theatre.[1]Kouka has ancestral ties to the MÄ ori tribes of Ngati
Porou, Ngati Kahungunu and Ngati Raukawa.Born in Balclutha in New
Zealand's South Island, Kouka graduated in English from the University
of Otago in 1988. Later, he graduated from Toi Whakaari:NZ Drama
School in 1990.[2]Kouka's play Nga Tangata Toa (The Warrior People) is
heralded as a masterpiece in New Zealand theatre.[3] Directed by
veteran theatre director Colin McColl (NZ Laureate), Nga Tangata Toa
was first staged at Taki Rua Theatre in Wellington during the 1990s
and won numerous awards at the prestigious Chapman Tripp Theatre
Awards. In the lead role of Rongomai was award winning actress Nancy
Brunning. Nga Tangata Toa was inspired by Henrik Ibsen's play The
Vikings of Helgeland.[4]
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