Tinā 2024

Earthquake tragedy: Mareta's daughter dies during the 2011 Christchurch quake

On the day of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, Mareta's daughter auditions at the CTV Building and is killed. The disaster shatters Mareta, who immediately loses her sense of purpose and begins to question her faith. The tragedy marks the emotional starting point of Mareta's long grief.

Mareta's grief and struggle with faith

Grief consumes Mareta as she struggles to find meaning after her daughter's death. Her Roman Catholic faith becomes a source of doubt and distance rather than comfort. The emotional toll sets the tone for her later decision to return to teaching.

Sio persuades Mareta to apply for a job to maintain benefits

Sio, Mareta's nephew and social worker, convinces her to apply for a job so she can keep unemployment benefits. He suggests applying as a substitute teacher at a local school. This nudge pulls Mareta back into the teaching world and creates a path toward St Francis.

Hired as substitute teacher at St Francis School

Against initial reservations, retiring headmaster Alan Hubbard hires Mareta as a substitute teacher at St Francis School. She enters a largely conservative, privileged environment that challenges her every step. The job becomes the catalyst for the events that follow.

Mareta covers for Sophie after a confrontation

Mareta walks in on Sophie being confronted by deputy principal Peter Wadsworth about specializing in an instrument. Mareta covers for Sophie by claiming they had discussed vocal scholarships. This misstep sows tension and complicates trust within the staff.

Mareta starts a choir with herself as choirmaster

With no choir to lead, Mareta persuades Alan Hubbard to let her start one and agrees to be its choirmaster. Peter Wadsworth openly undermines the choir at every turn. Still, Mareta's initiative plants the seed for a new musical program at the school.

Enlisting alumni and other students to join the choir

Mareta enlists St Francis alumni and the experienced chorister Helen to help train the group. The choir begins to attract multiple students beyond Sophie, including Anthony, Mei-Ling and Luke, despite their privileged backgrounds. A sense of teamwork starts to form as the choir grows.

First performance at Mareta's Samoan church

The choir's first performance takes place at Mareta's Samoan church with the support of Father McAfee. The event helps validate the choir and links their mission to Mareta's cultural roots. The success also triggers a cautionary confrontation from Rona about Mareta's priorities.

Rona confronts Mareta; Mareta hospitalised and cancer diagnosed

Rona accuses Mareta of viewing the St Francis kids as privileged, and Mareta collapses after the encounter. She is hospitalised where her cancer diagnosis is revealed. The development intensifies the stakes for the choir's mission and Mareta's personal struggle.

Mareta introduces the Big Sing competition plan

Despite her illness, Mareta pushes to enter the national Big Sing competition, hoping the choir will prove themselves. The students agree to pursue the challenge, despite personal and health challenges. The plan reframes the choir's purpose as a beacon of hope amid Mareta's illness.

Sophie leaves the choir; Mei-Ling leads; Anthony's conflict; more departures

A troubled home life leads Sophie to leave the choir, refusing to wear a lavalava because of an arm injury, forcing Mei-Ling to take leadership. Anthony becomes embroiled in a fight with the school's rugby team, which leads to his departure as well. The group experiences significant internal strain but continues to rehearse.

School board pressures to end the choir; students rally behind it

Peter uses the rugby incident as a pretext to pressure the school board to end the choir program. However, the students' support keeps the choir alive, and they advance to the semi-finals of the Big Sing. The controversy tests the school's willingness to stand with Mareta's vision.

Choristers advance to the Big Sing finals but Mareta's condition worsens

The choir defies the board and advances to the Big Sing finals while Mareta's health worsens and she is hospitalised. The students continue rehearsing in her absence, determined to honour her vision. The tension builds toward the finale.