Tribal Lights

Enjoy one of two available shows full of comedy, romance, fantasy, tragedy and adventure; a unique way of being educated about the indigenous people of New Zealand and their history.

Hinemoa & Tutanekai (New Zealand’s most famous love story)

A story of forbidden love, Hinemoa of noble birth and Tutanekai of illegitimate birth. Defying her parents orders that she can not marry Tutanekai Hinemoa swims from the shores of lake Rotorua to Mokoia Island to where Tutanekai lives. Based on a true story, this story is a famous Maori love story still cherished and told today. If you choose this show you will find yourself invited to a celebration put on by Hinemoa’s father. He has invited many men of noble birth and high born Chief’s to marry his beautiful daughter Hinemoa. Tutanekai is banned from attending these celebrations but comes disguised as an old man. The handsome and sassy Tutanekai comes to the celebration to see who the loser Hinemoa’s father chooses to be her husband.

Tutanekai’s betrayal of his love for Hinemoa is discovered when Tangiwai arrives. Envy and jealously is the root to all great battles when two women are in love with the same man. But Tutanekai’s love is unwavering, his heart belongs to Hinemoa. but deeper is the shame of his ignoble birth and embarks on a quest to battle the enemies of Hinemoa’s tribe to bring honor to his name. A long time has passed and Hinemoa has been waiting to hear the sound of Tutanekai’s koauau (flute) as he promised. Musical notes from a Koauau can be heard floating from Mokoia Island. Is it Tutanekai? No longer can she bare to apart from her love, Hinemoa ties calabashes around her waist and swims to Mokoia Island.

Panoramic View of Mokoia Island from Hinemoa’s home of Owhata

Chief Uenuku and The Test He Gave His Wives (A lively comedy)

Based on a true story of Chief Uenukukopako who marries two sisters. Meet Uenuku’s wives; Rangiwhakapiri and Hinepito who will welcome you to the celebrations for Uenukukopako’s battle victory on Mokoia Island. He returns from battle to find that his wives have not stopped bickering with one another. He decides to take a third wife hoping this would subdue the bickering, unfortunately it doesn’s. With his wives out of control he plans a fear factor competition and takes them by waka (canoe) out to the deepest part of lake Rotorua. The wife who can dive to the bottom of the lake and bring up some proof, like sand, pebble or stone will become the first wife and the other wives must obey her. Many of the Maori people who now live in Rotorua are descendants of Uenuku and his three wives.