Kia Mau Festival

We are thrilled to introduce Īhaka Huia James Martyn as one of our He Toi Puaki program participants! Īhaka (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa; Scotland, England, Wales) is a playwright, actor, and the Script Coordinator at He Rōpū Tautoko Tito Whakaari o Aotearoa, Playmarket. 🌟

Īhaka grew up in Tāmaki-makau-rau and now resides in Pōneke. He studied Music and Theatre at Otago University and holds a Master’s in Scriptwriting from the IIML at Te Herenga Waka. His recent artistic credits include playing 'Billy' in Ella Yiannoutsos' No No No in 2024, a development season of his play Slowing the Sun at the 2023 Kia Mau Festival, and three seasons of his autobiographical solo piece, He Māori?, in 2022 and 2023. Īhaka has been creating and performing in theatres around the motu since childhood and is always searching for what tugs at the puku. 🎭

Īhaka aims to make audiences interrogate what “New Zealand” or “Aotearoa” means to them. If an audience member enters his show sure of their stance on the country’s name, Īhaka wants to test their reasoning and pose challenging questions. He hopes to express his sense of hōhā about this post-colonial identity crisis and inspire others to reflect deeply on their own identities. ✨

He Toi Puaki serves as a platform for emerging artists to blossom from seeds of creativity into fully realised productions. Through initial commissioning, linking up the right people, and vital funding assistance, the program empowers artists to transform their raw concepts into stage-ready new New Zealand works. 🌱

Each artist brings a unique perspective and creative flair to the table, promising a diverse array of artistic expressions that will captivate audiences and enrich the cultural tapestry of Aotearoa. 🌺

Join us in celebrating this incredible talent and stay tuned for the amazing works they will bring to life! 🌟👏

We are thrilled to introduce Emma Katene as one of our He Toi Puaki program participants! Emma, Ngāti Kahungunu, is a Pōneke-based actor, director, and sound designer, known for her recent performances in ‘Mannbannd,’ directed by Kate Louise Elliot, and ‘CringeWorthy: Swinging in the ‘60s,’ by Andrea Sanders. 🌟

Emma made her Kia Mau debut in 2023 with her award-nominated show ‘3 Steps Back,’ directed by Kate Anderson, which she wrote and sound designed. Her acting accolades include ‘Pinocchio: the Pantomime’ by Gavin Rutherford and Simon Leary, The Court Theatre's ‘The Girl on the Train,’ directed by Holly Chappell-Eason, ‘Destination Mars,’ directed by Kip Chapman, ‘Sing to Me,’ directed by Miriama McDowell, and ‘White Men,’ directed by Carrie Green. 🎭

Stretching her directing muscles, Emma has worked on ‘Sandwich Artist: The Musical’ by Phoebe Caldiero and Jack McGee, and ‘Ted Talks Crimes’ by Jeremy Hunt. Emma loves connecting with other energies through expression and aims to use every opportunity to learn, grow, and help others do the same. ✨

He Toi Puaki is a great opportunity for Emma as a new writer who doesn’t often focus on written storytelling. As an actor, director, and designer, she expresses text through the body, and now she looks forward to the challenge of doing the foundation work of writing. Emma is excited to learn and practise the art of painting with words, intertwining her knowledge as an artist into the play she writes. 🖋️

The He Toi Puaki program, part of the Kia Mau Festival, is an innovative initiative aimed at nurturing indigenous voices and fostering homegrown talent in Te Upoko o te Ika a Māui. This program provides essential resources, support, and funding to help artists transform their creative visions into compelling stage productions. 🎨

Join us in celebrating this incredible talent and stay tuned for the amazing works they will bring to life! 🌟👏

We are thrilled to introduce Jahra (Arieta) Wasasala as one of our He Toi Puaki program participants! Jahra is an award-winning Fijian/Pākehā world-builder, dancer, facilitator, and writer, whose practice is deeply informed by the whenua of Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa. 🌟

Within Viti (Fiji), Jahra hails from the provinces of Macuata and Ba. Their work centres on embodied and disembodied phenomena, bridging these forms into shared performances. Jahra’s practice envisions liberation and calls forth memories of creature-led language, situated between one world ending and another beginning. 💫

Drawing from multiple dance teachings and cultures, Jahra’s work combines emotional rigour with innovative theatrical practices, contributing to the canon of Tagata Moana future-mythos. An internationally touring performer, facilitator, and published writer, Jahra’s solo and company performances have graced stages across Aotearoa, so-called Australia, Hawai’i, New York, Germany, Fiji, Guahån, and Canada. 🌍

Highly collaborative, Jahra’s practice spans sound, adornment, poetry, sculpture, costume, and digital realms, creating immersive world-building experiences. Their work evolves through different periods, offering a profound exploration of creative expression. 🎭

Jahra’s creative journey is closely intertwined with their partner Ooshcon through ‘CONJAH.’ This dynamic entity focuses on performance and facilitation, creating solo and ensemble works, leading workshops for diverse communities, and producing dance festivals. Together, they form a powerful duo that pushes the boundaries of contemporary performance art. ✨

The He Toi Puaki program, part of the Kia Mau Festival, is an innovative initiative aimed at nurturing indigenous voices and fostering homegrown talent in Te Upoko o te Ika a Māui. This program provides essential resources, support, and funding to help artists transform their creative visions into compelling stage productions. 🎨

Join us in celebrating this incredible talent and stay tuned for the amazing works they will bring to life! 🌟👏

We are thrilled to introduce Ooshcon as one of our He Toi Puaki program participants! Ooshcon is an award-winning Samoan/Pākehā dancer, facilitator, theatre-maker, and ‘decipherer of circles,’ specializing in ‘free-body’ dance methodologies. 🌟

Hailing from the beautiful villages of Lalomanu and Veilele in Samoa and deeply informed by the whenua of Te Awa Kairangi ki Uta, Aotearoa (NZ), Ooshcon's work is imbued with the core belief ‘ina ia sosolo le alofa / so love may flow.’ This ethos permeates their evolving practice, creating alofa-informed works, collaborations, and spaces. 💖

A recognised Street Dance Battler, Street Dance Theatre maker, and performer, Ooshcon has toured extensively across Aotearoa, so-called Australia, Tahiti, Fiji, Mexico, Las Vegas, San Diego, China, and Taiwan. Drawing from multiple dance teachings and cultures, Ooshcon’s work combines emotional rigour with innovative theatrical practices, contributing to the canon of Tagata Moana future-mythos. 🌍

Ooshcon's creative journey is closely intertwined with their partner Jahra Wasasala through ‘CONJAH.’ This dynamic duo focuses on performance and facilitation, creating solo and ensemble works, leading workshops for diverse communities, and producing dance festivals. 🎭

The He Toi Puaki program, part of the Kia Mau Festival, is an innovative initiative aimed at nurturing indigenous voices and fostering homegrown talent in Te Upoko o te Ika a Māui. This program provides essential resources, support, and funding to help artists transform their creative visions into compelling stage productions. 🎨✨

Each artist brings a unique perspective and creative flair to the table, promising a diverse array of artistic expressions that will captivate audiences and enrich the cultural tapestry of Aotearoa. 🌺

Join us in celebrating this incredible talent and stay tuned for the amazing works they will bring to life! 🌟👏

Kia Mau Festival Unveils He Toi Puaki 🌘

Kia Mau Festival, is taking a much needed step forward with its innovative new initiative, He Toi Puaki. This commissioning program marks a significant evolution in our commitment to nurturing indigenous voices and fostering homegrown talent amongst our arts whānau her in Te Upoko o te Ika a Maui.

Read more - https://mailchi.mp/kiamaufestival/20245-10684054

ONE YEAR OUT E TE WHĀNAU!

Save the date + keep your calendar free for all the Kia Mau Festival goodness coming to you in 2025.

Festival dates are 30 May - 14 June 2025.

We are PUMPED to share our incredible programme of Tangata Whenua, Tangata Moana + Indigenous artists from across the globe 🙌

A huge shout out to Kia Mau whānau member Natasha James on being named one of the recipients of the 2024 FAME Awards! 🎭 Her remarkable talent and dedication to the performing arts over the years has had a huge impact on the arts sector in Aotearoa - we're so lucky to have you 🥰

As a skilled Lighting Designer and Production Manager, Natasha's 24-year career has been nothing short of extraordinary. From collaborating with renowned companies like Marrageku Dance Company to her pivotal role as a founding member of Muscle Mouth, her work has left an indelible mark on stages spanning continents, from Australia to Europe.

Currently serving as Production Manager for Tawata Productions and with us as Production and Technical Director for Kia Mau Festival, Natasha's contributions to the professional performing arts community of Aotearoa are truly exceptional. 🌟

Natasha, your passion and talent inspire us all. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! 🎉

Nau mai, haramai, piki mai, kake mai!

Our 2024 AGM will take place on Thursday, 11 April 2024 online and in person.

Please register your interest in attending via our link in bio 🫶🏽

Kia Mau Festival Production Skills Course 2023 Reflection 🌒

In December 2023, the second Kia Mau Festival Production Skills Course took place at Te Auaha, in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, designed specifically for our whānau in the Pacific Festivals Initiative. Tailored exclusively for this community, the course brought together emerging talents in stage management and sound composition, fostering a creative journey that left participants inspired and connected.

Read More - https://mailchi.mp/kiamaufestival/20241-10398090

📸 Roc+ Photography
Image featuring Roy Iro & Poe Tiare Tararo

🌟✨ Kia Mau Festival Production Skills Course: Unveiling the Creative Journey! ✨🌟

In December 2023, the Kia Mau Festival Production Skills Course unfolded as a beacon of artistic growth and collaboration, exclusively tailored for the Pacific Festivals Initiative network. 🌺🎭

🎬 For Emerging Stage Managers:
Seven talented Stage Managers embarked on a transformative three-day intensive, delving into a diverse spectrum of skills and knowledge, led by Tash James and assistance from James Kearney. From the intricacies of production coordination to the art of seamless stage management, each participant emerged with a newfound expertise and a network of like-minded creatives. The passion and dedication displayed during the course were truly awe-inspiring! 🌈✨

🎵 For Emerging Sound Composers and Music Producers:
Simultaneously, four aspiring Sound Composers and Music Producers immersed themselves in an intensive journey tailored to their craft. The Kia Mau Festival Production Skills Course became a melting pot of sonic innovation, with participants exploring the intricacies of composition, production, and the art of creating mesmerising auditory experiences. The studio buzzed with creativity as these emerging talents honed their skills under the guidance of Karnan Saba. 🎶💡

As we reflect on these enriching days, the Kia Mau Festival Production Skills Course stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, mentorship, and the boundless potential within our Pacific Festivals Initiative network. Here’s to the emerging talents who embraced the opportunity to grow, connect, and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of Pacific arts and culture! 🌏🌺

We’re looking forward to seeing some of our whānau this weekend at in Lads on the Island.

With performing, directing, and written by our fave reviewer we know we’re in for a treat.

On until 2 March 🫶🏽

More here: https://www.circa.co.nz/package/lads-on-the-island/

Image by Roc Torio

Ngā mihi nui e kia manuia!

Some great news for the arts as two incredible leaders take on the mantle as Co-Directors of Tāwhiri. Dolina Wehipeihana and Tama Waipara are a powerful duo and we know Tāwhiri will be in good hands with them at the helm.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7166176862077964289

He mihi atu ana ki a koutou katoa!
Kia ora tātou! Kia orana tatou katoatoa!

Kia Mau Festival is very fortunate to announce that Natasha James has joined our waka as the Festival Production and Technical Director in an ongoing role.

Natasha has been in and around Kia Mau since its earliest days when the vision began for an independent Indigenous festival for the future. A fierce ally, Natasha shows up ready to put in the work to not only uphold and honour Te Tiriti, but also as a Tuakana - sharing with our emerging artists her incredible depth of craft and skill having worked in the arts as a Lighting Designer and Production Manager for over 24 years.

Over the years Natasha has collaborated closely with both dance and theatre companies including Muscle Mouth, Barbarian Productions, Ilbijerri Theatre Company, Marrugeku, and Tawata Productions. Formerly the interim Head of Production and Design at Te Kura Toi Whakaari o Aotearoa: New Zealand Drama School and Production Manager for WOW, Natasha’s skillset is vast. As a person who is constantly curious, Natasha is always interested in new ways of working, being part of a team telling stories with purpose and craft and remains forever grateful to her whānau for teaching her at a young age the value of work ethic.

“I'm super excited to be joining the Kia Mau team on a permanent basis. Working with the production crew to help deliver the creative vision is still to this day a place of real privilege. To be able to do that with Kia Mau Festival and all the amazing artists and companies that present is a true gift. At a time like the one we find ourselves in, the importance of understanding what Tangata Tiriti means feels of such value to me both as a human and an arts practitioner. Kia Mau is a place for all of these gifts. Mauri Ora!”

Our existence is resistance ✊🏽

Raumati Right Around the Corner 🌞

Growing a festival from of a creative vision to a contemporary Indigenous reality has been a journey. To this point today, we have traversed mountains, rivers and the grounds of new relationships, all the while pursuing the reality of an artist-led, Indigenous-led contemporary arts festival.

Nau mai - https://mailchi.mp/kiamaufestival/nov-kmf2023-10393138

Putting our pūtea where it matters most - in the pockets of our artists.

This is why the funding we get MATTERS.

When artists don't have to rely on their box office to pay their rent - it's one less barrier to artist success.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari kē he toa takitini 🫶

Kia ora!

Saturday 14th October 2023 marked our general election and too the changing of our government. The impact on our creative community will no doubt be felt for better or for worse - as will Aotearoa as a whole. We Artists however will continue to lead, dream and create - such is our way.
More here - https://mailchi.mp/kiamaufestival/oct-kmf2023-10390634

Kia Mau te Wehi!

We thank everyone who was involved in the mahi behind our inaugral Visual Arts Programme curated by Jamie Berry. An exhibition where te ao toi speaks stories, where it pays homage to the rich cultural tapestry of Te Whanganui-a-Tara and its enduring mauri as a grounding space that has always nurtured, encouraged and inspired artists.

Through mahi toi of mana whenua, tangata whenua and tangata moana artists who have a strong connection to Te Whanganui-a-Tara, be it through whakapapa or migration, this exhibition was an exploration of the tangible influence drawn from this unique whenua. A blend of 18 emerging and established artists, and spanning a multitude of disciplines from moving image, design, digital media to carving and weaving and beyond, Kia Mau te Wehi! was a space for the artists to reflect, tell their stories, to come together, and to celebrate.

For more about the programme: https://kiamaufestival.org/events/kia-mau-te-wehi/

📷

E kī! These numbers have us like 😍🥰🙌

With over a 300% increase in total audience from 2021-2023 you can see big moves and some extra pūtea means we can get more people in front of our artists' mahi.

Our ticketed audience had a significant bump of over 20% from 2021-2023. However, the big factor here is our free access audience! Being able to pay artists and have people enjoy these works free of charge will continue to be a big part of our kaupapa moving forward.

We'll keep posting these fun and sometimes incredible insights to share with you all.

Pōmarie!

From Kia Mau Festival 2023 to Te Pou Theatre! Reon Bell is taking his show back up to Tāmaki Makaurau next month. Good luck to Reon and crew 🫶

Concerning the UFO Sighting Outside Mt Roskill, Auckland is a solo theatre show that tells the story of a young man in 1980’s Auckland that is struggling with his growing belief in aliens, and his life as a closeted gay man.

7-11 November 2023
7pm
Te Pou Theatre
https://www.tepoutheatre.nz/concerning-the-ufo-sighting-outside-mt-roskill-auckland-rangatahi-season-2023/

📷 Jode Wade Lee

Thank you to the places that let us come in and do our thing - our way.

Each of these places have dedicated and generous staff, who work with us to achieve our vision as Kia Mau Festival continues to grow.

“There were so many people coming to Pōneke in June, when Tawata would have a show, so Hone started thinking there was more meat to it than these beautiful bones,” Mīria George, Executive Director of Kia Mau Festival.

Sharing some timely memories from Kia Mau Festival 2023 🦎

Our whānau from Mokomoko are about to open in Taranaki!

Creator Sherilee Kahui and performer Mycah Keall both whakapapa to Taranaki, and it was always Kahui’s dream to bring this story to her ancestral home.

For one night only, 7 October at 7.30pm " Theatre Royal, Taranaki: https://www.reimaginefestival.co.nz/whats-on/mokomoko/

🦎H-J Kilkelly Producer
🦎 Sherilee Kahui
🦎 Mycah Keall
🦎 Isabella Molly Friis
🦎 Erina Daniels
🦎 Stevie Greeks

Kia mau is a call to hold fast. Kia Mau is about us all. Here. Now.

As a contemporary tangata whenua, tangata moana + indigenous festival our artists bring works that speak to what is at the forefront for them right now, what stories need to be told right now - our programme is the result of this.

“It’s not about holding these people tight to us, it’s about going, ‘I’m gonna shine the light on you and you go away, and if you wanna come back, we treated you well, you will come back’,” says Kouka. “And we find a lot of the artists do wanna come back to us.”

Arawhata is on the move ✨

These stunning artists are taking their incredible mahi on the road.

First to Tāmaki Makaurau | 4-7 October | 8pm | Q Theatre: https://www.qtheatre.co.nz/shows/arawhata

Then to the Hawke's Bay Arts Festival | 20 October | 9pm | Toitoi - Hawke's Bay Arts & Events Centre: https://www.hbaf.co.nz/whats-on/programme/attend/137

In a joyful celebration of diversity, Wellington Ballroom brings you Arawhata! This one- of- a-kind show captures the essence and experiences of q***r, indigenous people of colour, fusing the art form of underground ballroom with the cultures which flow through the performers’ veins.

Go tautoko whānau!

📷

Every year we grow 🌿

With new and returning artists joining us each festival - our whānau expands, new relationships are forged and tangata whenua, tangata moana and indigenous artists deepen our global bonds.

“The great thing for me over a period of time is seeing the evolution of our artists, and that our artists realise there is no one way to do Māori art, or Pasifika art, or Indigenous art,”
Hone Kouka, Artistic Director & Chief Executive, Kia Mau Festival

Keep coming back e te whānau 🫶

Ngā pūmaharatanga o Kia Mau Festival 2023 ✨

Stunning images of Eastern Sound Collective's show Amalgam at Meow on 7 June 2023.

Thank you to the talented Maeve O'Connell for these ataahua photos (with plenty more to come.

We'll keep sharing, reflecting and celebrating the incredible artists that made Kia Mau Festival 2023 and earlier festivals so amazing.

Ngā mihi mahana 🫶

A new initiative for us is the Kia Mau Festival panui. Each month Kia Mau Festival whānau will highlight and led us to what kaupapa and mahi is happening around Aotearoa, Moana Nui a Kiva and the globe. Māori, Pasifika and Indigenous creativity is thriving and we are spoilt for choice.
In this panui we celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori and the offerings of kōanga.

Check it out whānau - https://mailchi.mp/kiamaufestival/koanga-kmf2023-10387658

📣 One Week To Go 📣

Performed as part of Kia Mau Festival 2023, ‘Flames’ is an innovative fusion of theatre, musical theatre and hip-hop music presented through a detective drama with Aotearoa flavour.

Private detectives Morgan Reid and Ian Sheff attempt to solve a series of arsons across Wellington city. Their inability to cooperate forces the two to rely on outside help, unintentionally constructing a band of misfits.

‘Flames’ is a one-of-a-kind show by Toi Whakaari graduates Roy Iro and Reon Bell that celebrates the whakapapa of Hip-hop culture in Aotearoa.

Writers:
Roy Iro, Reon Bell and Sean Rivera�Director: Sepelini Mua’au

Sound Designer:
Reon Bell�

Lighting Designer:
Michael Lyell�

Actors:
Roy Iro, Reon Bell, Sean Rivera, Moana Ete and GypsyMae Harihona
Image Design:
Danielle Mendoza

Production Manager:
Amanda Joe�

Producer:
Taylor-Rose Terekia

🌍 Streaming Worldwide until September 09 2023
🎟️ Cinema Release Tickets $10 ea
🎥 https:/https://www.moananui-kiamaufestival.org/film/flames/

📣 'Avaiki Nui Social Closing Tomorrow 📣

Nau mai, haramai! Turou, Oro mai! You're invited to join us online for a Night of Cook Islands String Bands proudly presented at Kia Mau 2023. Performed at the Michael Fowler Centre in Te Whanganui-a-Tara in June and featuring an iconic lineup of musicians, storytellers and actors from 'Avaiki Nui, the Cook Islands including

🎤 The Wanderers
🎤 Brother Love
🎤 Kabin Bread Boyz
🎤 Ardijah
🎤 Jarome

Featuring Storyteller Tuaratini with actors Taungaroa Emile, Teherenui Koteka, Poe-Tiare Tararo and Roy Iro.

🌍 Streaming Aotearoa, Te Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa & Australia only from 17 - 31 AUG 2023
🎟️ Cinema Release Tickets $10 ea
🎥 https://www.moananui-kiamaufestival.org/film/avaiki-nui-social/