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Performance artists Cat Ruka and Josh Rutter will present their theatrical protest, New Treaty Militia, at the Southside Arts Festival in Otara on October 28. The piece examines the Treaty of Waitangi.

Award-winning choreographer Cat describes the piece as "a personal relationship onstage, where Josh and I use our bodies to explore extremities.We examine intricacies within the power relationship between Maori and Pakeha. We even hit each other. There is definitely a sexual and controversial element".

The Treaty of Waitangi has been analysed, accessed, argued and contested for years, with controversy over the translation of the Treaty from English to Maori, leaving the two documents with different meanings on issues such as land and ownership.

"Maori have opened up space to discuss how the Treaty sits today," says Cat. "There have been great efforts to compensate in terms of redistribution of wealth and land to the Maori people. However, all that does is teach a body of people that the problems are economic and what does that say?

"We are trying to critique the interplay. Maori have more power than they used to, but what are they actually doing with it?"

Josh agrees that  although certain aspects of colonial behaviour are shocking, the complexities of the struggle is masked by prejudice.

Cat, whose father is Maori and her mother Pakeha, draws on personal experience to examine the identity struggles  in New Zealand.  Josh doesn't allude only to his Pakeha roots. "I think it is about culture rather than about race," he says.

"I feel part Maori because of my attitude and the way that I am involved with Maori culture.

"Maori are trying to create something that is exclusively theirs. In a way I think certain things should be kept like that." 

During the performance, the duo will switch from the personalities of their characters to their own.

"The idea is to break in and out of theatricality," explains Josh. "We don't want to confine ourselves to role play."

The set has been devised through gifts Cat has received from friends and other artists, creating a sense
of community involvement.

"The performance concerns everyone, not just Josh and I," says Cat. "It gives a random aspect that I had no control over."

New Treaty Militia, 9pm, Otara Music Arts Centre, Otara Town Centre, October 28. There is a suggested $5 koha on the door.