HEARTLAND: PATEA. THE SURVIVORS

The story of the South Taranaki town of Patea of yesterday and today, as well as the musical Poi E - The Musical. Dalvanius Prime, Writer/Producer, Poi E - The Musical relates his family’s history as workers at the local freezing works. James Clark plays Reverend Tucker. He was working at the United Nations as a Clerk, in Austria, where he worked for 15 years. Now he is back on the dole, and has a part in the play. Rudi Milesi, Director, Poi E - The Musical stands in the old freezing works building. He used to work as a stores clerk, beginning at the age of 23. At its peak 8-900 people worked at the works. The performers sing a waiata on stage.

At Pariroa Marae, just outside town, the performers arrive at the Marae which the musical is largely based on. The group performs inside the wharenui. Jason Southcombe plays Mitch, a chainy. He is 18, and says everyone is family. Paki Hopkins plays Ngoi Pēwhairangi. Chicky Hopkins, Paki’s daughter, plays Gabrielle, a chainy, has never done this type of performance before. Jay Rei, songwriter, plays Jay, a chainy, and Jodie Prime, songwriter, chorus member, talk to Annie about the experience and Jodie about being related to Dalvanius. At the beginning Jay refused the part, as he preferred to give orders as a martial artist, not take them.

Norm and Ruth McKay, chorus members, talk about the history of the town. Norm used to be Mayor of the town at the time the works closed. Livingstone Baker, South Taranaki Museum, demonstrates a number of old machines. Archival footage and photographs of the old town and the port. At the Patea Maori Club it is club night and people are entertained by singing ‘nuns’ - Hawera Adagio Choral Group. Sam Prime, President, Patea Maori Club, says the club invited the group as the tutor is the choral tutor for the Patea Maori Club. Andrew Braid, Musical Director, Poi E - The Musical was snapped up to ‘slap the club into shape’. Sam Prime talks about first receiving the demo tape of Poi - E to record. The club sing Poi E. Archival photos of the Patea Maori Club performing around the world.

At Patea Maori School, Aunty Chicky teaches the children maths. At Patea High School students work in the classroom. Aunty Chicky says she was brought up with every one being an aunty even though they aren’t related. She came back to teach because the Patea Maori Club had a positive effect on her and her education, and she wanted to give the people who supported her something back. Annie talks to the Director of the show who is also making the set .

At Lake Rotorangi, Upper Patea River, Peter Gywnn is developing the area to build a few cabins where people can get together. He used to work at the Patea freezing works. Maree Gywnn said they are taking their children to the performance, as Chicky is the teacher of her twins. She talks about how a lot of Pakeha send their children out of the district, and this is positive for her children. At Patea High School, the crew and cast are coming to terms with the school hall for performing in. Nephi Prime is the baby brother in the Prime family in a family of 11. Nephi has been training under Dr Pita Sharples in Auckland to learn the taiaha. Leon Wharekura plays Tama, a pimp, has performed in the Kings Cross in Sydney, and says he got lost a bit without his family over there.

Dalvanius talks about Te Kumeroa Ngoingoi Pēwhairangi and the Tokomaru Bay connection. Dalvanius wrote songs with Ngoi Pēwhairangi. At the Chriesi Wald garden Annie is shown around by the Rudi Milesi. Dalvanius talks about how he loves Patea. Annie pulls out her own winning ticket for the raffle. Annie has her blood pressure taken. Crowds gather to watch a street parade. The contingent from Tokomaru Bay arrive to bless the script. Annie attends the Poi E - the musical in Patea.