Tērā te Auahi: Acclaimed Te Arawa Eruption Production to Return for Summer Season

ROTORUA — The acclaimed Te Arawa stage production Tērā te Auahi is set to return to the Sir Howard Morrison Centre for an extended summer season following a highly successful debut. Organisers confirmed the production will run for 19 performances from January 15 to February 14, with shows scheduled every Thursday through Sunday. Developed by Te Whare Tapere o Te Arawa and the Tūhourangi Tribal Authority, the production brings the 1886 Mt Tarawera volcanic eruption to life. The story explores the devastating event that claimed more than 120 lives and destroyed the world-famous Pink and White Terraces, alongside several villages including Te Wairoa. The show originally opened on June 10, marking the 140th anniversary of the eruption, and attracted 5,980 attendees across seven sold-out performances. Te Whare Tapere o Te Arawa co-director Maiau Houltham told the Rotorua Daily Post that the community response was overwhelming. Houltham noted that seeing the theatre filled with locals, students, and visitors demonstrated that these histories still matter deeply to the public. She shared that the most rewarding feedback was hearing that audiences left feeling proud of their history, describing the play as a point of pride for Tūhourangi, Ngati Wahiao, and those directly affected by the tragedy. While the production acknowledges the historical loss, Houltham emphasized that it is primarily a celebration of the resilience, strength, and survival of the people. The production is predominantly in te reo Māori and aims to become a signature cultural experience for Rotorua, providing a contemporary visual connection to the history of the Tarawera lakes district. The summer cast will feature a mix of 25 performers from the original June season and those involved in the show's development.