A well-known Māori actor and director is calling for a national theatre for tāngata whenua to be created and housed at the national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa.
Jim Moriarty Photo: SUPPLIED
Jim Moriarty says Te Papa holds the whakapapa of Māori physical and visual treasures and should extend that to theatre.
He said the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra have their national base in Wellington and the same should apply to the formation of a national Māori theatre.
Mr Moriarty believed issues such as colonisation, which are explored in its art works, should come to life through theatre and Te Papa had a responsibility to act as the foundation for that to occur.
Every iwi had a three-year residency at the museum, he said, and they should be able to go into it and create and tell their own stories.
Te Papa did not have anyone available to comment at this time.