"Now, repeat after me, 'Kia ora.'"

After a short pause, the audience grumbled in response.

"Oh, come on, you can do better than that," said Seidy Naera, leader and narrator of Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre, at the beginning of the group's performance at UAF last Monday.

The entire audience spoke the unfamiliar word in unison, this time louder and clearer. "Much better!" Seidy exclaimed.

Backed by instrumental musical pieces, the Maori danced, stomped, threw sticks, banged sticks, flung rope-attached poi balls, and sang, keeping perfect musical rhythm. Nikora Taitoko, a Maori dancer and singer, received a tsunami of applause as she twirled a poi ball with precise rhythm in one hand while removing another from her belt.

After gaining momentum, she had both of them going at full speed, twirling them and whacking her forearms with them right along with the music.

The majority of the performance was spoken and sung in Te Reo Maori, the Maori language. An occasional reassuring narration came from the speakers, explaining the goings-on in certain scenes. The Maori creation stories were told with the use of dialogue scenes and songs.

Although every single song was sung in Te Reo Maori, the actions and vocalizations were enough to capture the raw emotion. A particularly invigorating scene was backed by the sounds of a violent thunderstorm. Red stage lights gave the four staff-wielding men fiery glows as they fought each other.

In the latter half of the show, the Taiaha was introduced. The Taiaha is a Maori weapon known for both its spear and quarterstaff qualities. As Seidy Naera explained the multiple techniques of the weapon, a Taiaha warrior enacted use of it. He made a quick thrust to the groin and a downward jab onto his demonstrator's foot.

To demonstrate the Taiaha further, four audience members were rounded up and brought onto the stage where they were to be taught the various techniques of using the Taiaha. The honorary warriors attempted to imitate the skilled Maori, ending in much laughter and enjoyment for all. "These are the best warriors I've seen in the last six hours," Naera said.

At the end of the show the group emerged from behind the curtain, and everyone emerged from their seats, clapping madly. The audience, UAF, and local host families were thanked for their support. Once again, the entire audience stood up and applauded. The Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre of New Zealand was a memorable event, and the audience participation made it twice as fun.