Bruce Mason winner calls for climate change action

Leki Jackson-Bourke has expressed his gratitude after winning the esteemed Bruce Mason Playwriting Award, saying he received it "on behalf of all our Niue people and community”.

This award, the most illustrious writing prize in the New Zealand theatre industry, includes the Bruce Mason Shield - on which Jackson-Bourke's name will be engraved - and a $10,000 prize.

In an interview with Leitualaalemalietoa Lynn Lolokini Pavihi on PMN Niue, Jackson-Bourke, of Niuean, Tongan, and Sāmoan descent, shared his initial uncertainty about winning.

"Usually, pālagi win it, or sometimes Māuli (Māori), but this year they chose me for some reason," Jackson-Bourke said.

"It's the most prestigious writing prize that you can get in the theatre industry.

"I was very proud to stand there and receive it on behalf of all our Niue people and community."

Niue, the "Rock of Polynesia”, is four times larger than Rarotonga but smaller than Lake Taupo. Photo /niuepocketguide.

Trailblazer in New Zealand theatre

Established in 1983, the Bruce Mason Playwriting Award has recognised outstanding and emerging New Zealand playwrights for decades.

The winner is selected by votes from a panel of leading New Zealand artistic directors and script advisers.

Playmarket, the FAME (Fund for Acting and Musical Endeavours) Trust, and the Downstage Theatre Society have funded the award.

Jackson-Bourke's previous works include Inky Pinky Ponky, co-written with ‘Amanaki Prescott-Faletau, which premiered in 2019 and won Playmarket’s Plays for the Young competition.

This play was later adapted into a film that streamed on Whakaata Māori and MĀORI+ in 2023, becoming popular among Pacific communities, especially the youth.

He also adapted Red, White and Brass for the stage, a production that played to over 12,000 viewers in 2023.

In addition to playwriting, Jackson-Bourke has toured internationally with companies like Black Grace, Kila Kokonut Krew, and Massive Theatre Company.

His contributions to the arts have earned him numerous awards, including the Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Award for Emerging Pacific Artist in 2018.

He currently freelances under the theatre company, Strictly Brown, and is a core creative in the South Auckland collective Sau E Siva Creatives.

The Red, White and Brass production debuted in July, drawing an audience of over 12,000. Photo /Auckland Theatre Company/Andi Crown.

Focusing on climate change and Niue's future
Regarding the Mason Award, Jackson-Bourke said he would use the prizemoney to support a project that addresses climate change and its impact on Niue.

He said he plans to kickstart this project with a few other Niue creatives after his end-of-the-year holiday, including Red, White & Brass star Haanz Fa'avae-Jackson.

"I think it's very important to discuss climate change and the future of Niue for our people," Jackson-Bourke said.

"A lot of us are disconnected from Niue because we don't live there, but eventually, we're going to make our way back to Niue.

"And so what happens when we go back to Niue and it's changed?"

He emphasised the need to advance the dialogue on climate change impacts in Niue, noting that some joked that the Rock of Polynesia would avoid environmental issues due to its elevated terrain.

Niue is a raised coral atoll characterised by steep limestone cliffs. Its central plateau rises about 200 feet above sea level.

This elevation provides a natural defence against sea-level rise, setting it apart from many lower-lying Pacific nations.

"But what happens when the underwater resource of water gets contaminated by the seawater because of the rising sea levels?

"Then Niue becomes uninhabitable and we can't survive on the rain alone. So there's a lot of conversations to have around that.

"It's important to have those conversations with young people now and with some of our elders in the community because not only are we fighting for our language, we're also fighting for our island to stay alive."

Leki Jackson-Bourke (left) and Haanz Fa’avae-Jackson in Niue. Photo/The Coconet TV`.

Inspiring the next generation
Jackson-Bourke says Niuean youth need to proudly embrace their culture and heritage, fly their flag, and put "God first”.

He said winning the Bruce Mason Award was unexpected, as he felt disadvantaged compared to other writers with formal training.

Jackson-Bourke also expressed his gratitude to Niue, his family, and the PIC Newton church community as he looks to inspire the next generation of Pacific artists towards story sovereignty.

"There wasn't one moment where I thought I was going to win or where I thought I could do this - it just kind of happened by God's will.

"If you put your heart to something and you have a good support and networking system and all of that, then you can achieve whatever you want.

"We have to tell our stories before others do it for us.”

Watch Leki Jackson-Bourke’s full interview here via PMN Niue’s FB.