Whether we choose to or not, there’s always something we can do to make an impact.

That was my main takeaway from ration the Queen’s veges, a part-one-man-show, part-TED-talk, written by Tainui Tukiwaho and Te Wehi Ratana. It explores the story of Te Wehi Ratana, the legend who corrected the English version of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the aftermath of that event. Brought to life by a sole performer, Ngahiriwa Rauhina, the play explores what action looks like and how impact is a purposeful choice, not a result of happenstance.

Nicole Marsh, Jane Hakaraia and Connor Magatogia have done an excellent job with the staging. From the initial image of the two versions of Te Tiriti draping above us, to the guitar and Tino Rangatiratanga flag put on display for… story reasons, every part of the set is purposeful. The lighting and sound cues are perfectly timed by Operator Marshall Rankin, to create a theatrical experience that feels alive and immersive as we go through the story. It’s clear that this show has gone through a rigorous rehearsal process, and all players are in sync.

That’s not an easy task when you’re moving around as swiftly and energetically as Ngahiriwa Rauhina. This man is charisma incarnate. When he’s not wearing that cheeky grin, he’s carrying it in his eyes. He is a performer who is simply delighted to be here, bringing to life a story that he truly loves and believes in. He flips between different characters with ease, making sure that each one has their own unique posture, voice and attitude. It’s impossible to be bored watching him, and he rewards that attention with an engaging presence and acknowledgement of the audience he is presenting to.

The show is essentially split into three different segments. The first is monologue, where Rauhina addresses us directly, often breaking down what the show is, setting expectations and reinforcing its main messages. Secondly is play, where Rauhina re-enacts the story of Te Wehi and the different characters that he came across during his rectification of Te Tiriti, and the subsequent 48-hour prison stint that became of it.

Third are the non-sequiturs, which are hard-cuts to an exaggerated version of reality where Te Wehi recounts conversations which, if told straight, would admittedly be a little dull. He doesn’t quite escape the exposition allegations, but the audience is receptive to their acknowledgement, so they play on. Whether he’s whisked away to a skydive, or locked in conversation with a Doberman by the lake, these non-sequiturs aim to confuse the audience, but only for the purpose of reminding us not to get distracted. They always veer back to the important matters at hand, a snap back to reality, as if to say that yes, distractions happen. Don’t let them.

Because the key messages being delivered are the real meat of the play. There is a systematic ignorance built into this country that has to be overcome for any meaningful change to happen. Te Wehi didn’t start his journey by grabbing some abseiling equipment and spray painting improvements in Te Papa. These actions were an explosive retaliation against consistent stifling. The fact that he’s banned from Pōneke should tell you everything about how powerful a tool silencing is. We cannot continue to treat the Treaty like some fair deal that didn’t quite work out. It is not a contract that needs reparations made for it, it is an ongoing transaction because Te Tangata Whenua have not yet received what’s owed to them. Whether it’s through acts of anarchist art, solidarity in the Rimutaka Prison, or development of Māori theatre, we owe it to them to listen.

ration the Queen’s veges is the perfect way to have Te Wehi Ratana’s side of the story told in a way that feels neither preachy, nor unserious. There are times when it feels like you’re just laughing with a mate, and then he hits you with an oof-inducing truth that forces you to think about how we can make impacts at all. This is a play that’s been inspired by a story, and I hope it goes further to inspire other works of Māori art that push their kōrero to new audience. It’s certainly inspired me.

Toitū Te Tiriti.

ration the Queen’s veges is running from 16th of August to the 13th of September, 7.30pm at Circa Theatre. Tickets available from the Circa website.

Disclosure: As a somewhat active member of the Wellington performing arts community, I may be quite familiar with a number of the performers in this show. Having said that, I am not a liar, and there is zero bias in my reviews, shut up.

Also, tickets were provided to me for free by the production. Literally changes nothing, though.