Kōrero: New Zealand culture overseas

The programme for London concerts organised by Mākereti (Maggie) Papakura in 1911 included many of the key elements of kapa haka – waiata, haka and poi – along with narrative elements designed to give context and explanation to audiences unfamiliar with Māori culture. Papakura, at the time a well-known tourist guide in the Rotorua region, organised a concert party of her Te Arawa relatives which travelled to Sydney in 1910 and then on to London in 1911. The shows they put on were very popular, and publicity was favourable, but the tour was plagued by financial problems.