NUKU live: Kiritapu Allan to share 'realities of being an indigenous woman'

If you loved the highly acclaimed NUKU, Qiane Matata-Sipu’s biography of 100 indigenous women, you won’t want to miss her live podcast with Kiritapu Allan this weekend.

NUKU founder Matata-Sipu (Te Waiohua ki Te Ahiwaru me Te Ākitai, Waikato, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Pikiao, Cook Islands) will take to stage for an intimate interview with lawyer and former politician Allan (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) at Q Theatre on Sunday as part of Podfest at Q and NUKU live.

It’s been two years since writer, photographer, and author Matata-Sipu published NUKU, a celebration of some of the most respected indigenous women both in New Zealand and abroad. It includes academy-nominated film director/producer Chelsea Winstanley, fashion designer Kiri Nathan, and dual rugby-rugby league player Honey Hireme-Smiler.

Matata-Sipu says Allan’s appearance signals the first of the next 100 indigenous women (101), as she embarks on the next volume. Readers of NUKU were introduced to Matata-Sipu’s stunning photography with stories underpinned by a kaupapa of empowerment in their telling.

“I’m not here for a scoop, I’m not trying to get something out of someone… NUKU is about how we use our narratives, our own stories, to help heal others. We get to see we’re not alone, we get to see how people have navigated their journey.”

Matata-Sipu said ultimately it will be Allan deciding how she will drive and present her story in a way that gives the former cabinet minister, story sovereignty.

“Every wahine has story sovereignty, there are ways to get things, in a loving way, in a sharing way, out there. I don’t want to focus on her because of her downfall. I want to focus on the career, the realities of being an indigenous woman; carrying the load, of whanau, iwi, because we individually are responsible for our people … all of us in our brown communities are responsible for each other.”

The first 100 episodes of NUKU Podcast introduced award-winning musicians, scientists, entrepreneurs, tribal leaders, artists, environmental champions, knowledge holders, mothers and more. The youngest was 14 and the eldest in her mid-70s. They are wāhine Māori to Moriori, Pasifika, Melanesian, Wijadjuri, Himalayan and Mexican.

Kiritapu Allan’s story has attracted great public interest regarding her health issues and resignation from politics and Matata-Sipu has long followed Allan’s career since the beginning.

“I first met Kiritapu, a lawyer, right at the beginning of Ihumatao … I followed her career and health journey. Kiritapu has always been on my radar.”

Matata-Sipu said the event was for everybody as well as being perfect for a girl’s afternoon (there are group discounts) with the venue in the heart of the city and a market also happening. Her one request for those attending was to come along with a positive attitude and open mind.

There are VIP tickets available, including goodies bags with taonga worth $130 and NUKU merchandise.

What: NUKU LIVE // 101 – Kiritapu Allan in conversation with Qiane Matata-Sipu
Where: Q Theatre
When: Sun Feb 18 at 4pm