Iti Kahuraki began as Kahuraki’s third year Body of Work in the full time Whitireia Circus and Dance programme. It marked the first time he deliberately wove his circus training with Te Ao Māori to share a personal story about his life and the wider Māori experience of colonisation.

His aim with the show is to introduce more people to the many storytelling traditions of Te Ao Māori. He is committed to strengthening the presence of te reo, tikaka, toi, mātauraka and whakaaturaka Māori within the circus sector in Aotearoa. Among his proudest achievements are supporting Te Kura Maninirau, the first kaupapa Māori circus school, during its early development, and delivering his first funded circus wānaka.

“How deliciously simple is this ‘Iti Kahurangi’! At the end, I know Kahurangi Bronsson-George as a humble and dignified Māori person. Behind the mataora, his eyes ask for understanding, for simple humanity. When he and his two assistants sing “Ma wai ra e taurima te marae i waho nei…” the audience sing alongs – with heart. We are moved. Kahurangi aspires to tour his show to kura i puta noa o te motu. I would love my grandchildren to experience this show. I say Bravo!” – Steve La Hood, TheatreView