Photos: Phil Greig
Hone Kouka is one of New Zealand’s most accomplished playwrights, having written pieces that have travelled the world and won many awards. But nowadays, there’s one role he is prouder of than his theatre work – being the father of talented musician and songwriter Maarire.
“Lately, people have been referring to me as Maarire’s dad and I love it,” says Hone, who received the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009 for his services to contemporary Māori theatre.
Maarire’s mother, and Hone’s former partner, is beloved actor Nancy Brunning, of Ngāti Raukawa and Tūhoe descent, who passed away in 2019 to breast cancer.
Maarire, 27, calls Hone “Pops” and he has been her rock since her mother’s death. The laughter and affection the pair show during the Weekly’s photoshoot illustrates their close bond.
“We get on really well,” says Maarire. “We love to talk about politics when we’re together and he’s just easy to talk with.”
Nancy was known for many iconic roles in theatre, film and TV. She was first introduced to the New Zealand public in 1992 as one of the original cast members of Shortland Street, playing nurse Jaki Manu. Nancy was also an award-winning playwright and director in screen and theatre.
Surprisingly, Nancy and Hone, who met while studying acting at Toi Whakaari Drama school in Wellington in 1990, have always discouraged their daughter from following in their footsteps. This is despite the fact Maarire made her screen debut at three months old, opposite her mother in a TV drama.
“Both my parents said I wasn’t allowed to become an actor because there’s no money in it,” she laughs.
Instead, they encouraged Maarire to follow her passion for music.
“As a child, we made sure that she learned to read music and play the keyboards,” says Hone.
Hone and Nancy separated in 2000, after more than a decade together. But they remained close friends, focusing on co-parenting Maarire.
Today, Maarire, of Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa and Tūhoe descent, has become one of New Zealand’s most promising musicians. Combining soul and hip-hop with the Māori language, she released her debut album Breakfast with Hades to critical acclaim.
She says Nancy was very supportive of her creative endeavours. She would often work alongside her mother, composing music for her plays.
“My mum was a very deep thinker,” she explains. “She liked to be part of the whole process, and always wanted to know what I was thinking. She would deconstruct everything.”
Both Maarire and Hone miss Nancy’s laughter and her fierce loyalty to whānau.
“As a partner, she was patient and loving,” tells Hone. “There was a certain staunchness to Nan and everything that she did came from aroha [love]. One of her favourite phrases was ‘Smash them with aroha’. And that’s a great way to be when you are super-creative.”
Nancy was also a talented singer, a gift that her girl has inherited. Maarire says their love for music made their close bond even tighter. Her favourite memory of her mother is when they would burn a “mix tape” of their favourite songs on CD. Then, they would give them away to family and friends.
“We’d sing together and write music together,” tells Maarire. “Mum was always in my corner and supporting me.”
Hone and Maarire believe Nancy would be proud of them both today. For the very first time, father and daughter are working together on Hone’s new play, Ngā Rorirori.
Maarire has written the music for the play, which has a major dance element, along with her writing partner Reon Bell.
Ngā Rorirori is a comedy about one family’s relationship with their land, and a big brother’s quest to use their coastline to earn big money.
Hone believes working with Maarire is a great way to honour Nancy’s legacy. It’s also the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with his daughter.
“Because we’re working together, we tend to debrief with each other,” he explains. “We talk a lot with each other and that’s one of the loveliest things.”
Maarire is surprised it’s taken so long for her to work with her dad, but she is relishing the Ngā Rorirori experience.
“I let him take the reins and we go with the flow,” she says affectionately.
There isn’t a day that goes by when Maarire doesn’t think about her dear mother. Nancy had instilled in Maarire the value of hard work.
Like most creative artists in New Zealand, Maarire has a full-time job to help pay her bills, working as a park ranger in Wellington. Outside those hours, she juggles her music, combining her mother’s passion for the creative arts and the environment.
“I’m a biodiversity ranger, so I do weed work, plus I look after plants and get rid of pests,” she says. “So between this work and my music, it’s the perfect balance.”
Maarire says her mother would be so proud that she is making some sacrifices for her music.
“Me and my mum were besties. I miss my mate.”
Ngā Rorirori makes its Auckland debut during the Kōanga Festival this month at Te Pou Theatre and will tour across New Zealand.
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