Arohanui - The Greatest Love

“Revenge is a festering sore that will kill us all Parekoi, remember that.”

So begins a moonlit night of bargaining between the brave Chief Parekoi, and his sworn enemy Taramea, King of the Faerie People. Little does Parekoi know that he is about to enter into an agreement that will cost his own people dearly and hurt the ones he loves the most. How far would you go to save your family... and who will remain to save you?

A dramatic and compelling story of love, revenge and torn loyalties, Arohanui – The Greatest Love is the story of twins Kahu and Mira raised to avenge their father’s death at the hands of mystical people called Patupaiarehe. But when Kahu falls in love with the Patupaiarehe princess he is forced to make the ultimate choice between his family and the love of his life.

Arohanui - The Greatest Love is a new generation of Māori performance blending traditional haka, martial arts, theatre, poi and musical composition as well as contemporary Māori art forms into an energetic and emotional theatrical celebration.

From a concept by Annette Wehi (Te Waka Huia) it has been written by Helen Pearse-Otene and jointly directed by Annette Wehi, Tanemahuta Gray (Maui – One Man Against the Gods), and Jim Moriarty. Performed by 30 of the best kapa haka exponents from around Aotearoa New Zealand, Arohanui promises to take you on an uplifting journey into Māori culture.

Created for the REAL New Zealand Festival that is on right around the country during Rugby World Cup 2011, Arohanui – The Greatest Love is proudly presented by Te Matatini Society Inc, host of the biennial National Māori Kapa Haka championships. Te Matatini's purpose is to nurture and develop kapa haka throughout Aotearoa and present the best of Māori performance to the world.