Organisations
On-Site

TE POU - Auckland's Māori Home of Theatre

TE POU is a Māori theatre space located in Corban Arts Estate Centre, that embodies the literal meaning of its name ‘The Support post’; acting as a constant and reliable presence for our performing arts community in Tāmaki Makaurau and abroad.

Since opening in 2015 they have become a home to many artists, companies and shows throughout the country as well as presenting curated seasons, festivals and workshop programmes.

https://www.tepoutheatre.nz/

@tepoutheatre

Atamira Dance Company

Atamira Dance Company is the leading creator and presenter of Māori contemporary dance theatre in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Their work embodies a unique landscape shaped by the cultural identity of people and their stories. Atamira’s choreographers, dancers and designers are a reflection of the diverse cross-section of voices in Aotearoa today. The company creates compelling, high-quality Māori contemporary dance theatre that reaches out to audiences and reflects the many aspirations of Aotearoa’s Mana Whenua. The foundation and impulse for all their creative work is an understanding of Māori world view. And evolving our ongoing connection with Tikanga Māori (protocols and values) today. As well as single dance works, Atamira have created a number of important large-scale performances in collaboration with other arts organisations.

https://atamiradance.co.nz/

@atamiradancecompany

Kākano Youth Arts Collective

This ongoing visual arts programme was originally set up in 2013 to cater for young people dealing with multiple and varied challenges in their lives, who often faced uncertain futures. To be eligible to participate in the collective, participants also had to have some interest in visual art. Our belief was that if we could tap into this interest and build on it, the young people coming through would gain greater confidence and self-esteem along with developing motivation, focus and self-discipline. In turn we believed this would offer them more opportunities to become more valued, appreciated and contributing members of the community.

The programme has grown considerably in the past four years, and now accommodates three groups on three days a week. In their weekly sessions, participants try out different art mediums and processes, and discover which of these they want to pursue. Some of our ‘graduates’ have been accepted into courses in Unitec, to take their skill with visual art further. Others have become clearer about a possible pathway for them and taken other directions. Some Kākano participants have become skilled at mural art using spray cans, and as a result, Kākano have been requested to undertake many commissions to create mural works, particularly around West Auckland. Examples of this work can be seen in the Henderson Town Centre, at Olympic Park in New Lynn and around the Ranui shopping centre.

https://kakanoyouthartscollective.com/

@ kakanoyoutharts

Mixit

Mixit is a multi-cultural platform for local youth and young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Mixit brings people together from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences who can get involved in creative projects together and establish new networks and opportunities. Mixit is an environment that encourages creativity to cross barriers of difference using a range of performing arts based creative disciplines, including dance, drama, music and aerial circus.

Mixit regularly performs and runs open courses, which don’t require previous experience but requires a willingness to turn up regularly. We also participate in a range of community events – such as the Auckland International Cultural Festival and youth events at Corban Estate Arts Centre.

https://mixit.co.nz/

@mixit_nz

Mind Over Manner

Mind Over Manner is a charity organisation that presents theatre inspired workshops to ignite social change in our communities. Our objectives are to strengthen communication and connection with teenagers who think, learn and work differently. These teenagers may be undiagnosed high functioning or diagnosed with such labels as Aspergers, OCD ADHD DYSPRAXIA, ADD, ODD and others. Mind Over Manner uses applied theatre techniques and works with a team of professional theatre practitioners and audiences so whanau, caregivers, teachers, and service providers have the chance to participate and reassess their responses to many unexpected and difficult situations.

website

Moko Smith (Pa Rongo Rongo)

Mokonuiarangi (Moko) Smith (Te Arawa, Tainui) is a tā moko artist reviving traditional Māori hand tools for tattooing. Smith works by hand with the traditional Māori and Polynesian hand tools known as Uhi. The work made with the tools draws on traditional and contemporary aesthetics, ancestral values and modern hygiene. Smith aims to keep furthering the art form though his practice, enabling it to flourish and be handed down to future generations. After training under his mentors Croc Coulter and Inia Taylor, Smith established Uhi Tapu Studio (Sacred Tattoo Tools) at Corban Estate Arts Centre, from where he is available for consultations.

https://www.moko-smith.com/

@uhi_tapu 

Whaotapu o Tāmaki Makaurau

Whaotapu are a collective of Tohunga Toi Ake who have been recognised and mandated by their tribes for generations. Acknowledged as traditional knowledges holders, experts, and authorities of Māori art, culture, heritage, Whaotapu are supported by mana whenua whānau, hapū, iwi, matawaka, and communities across Tāmaki Makaurau and Aotearoa, weaving people together through a kaupapa that is both transformative and enduring.

The Mana Whenua Puawaitanga and Launch of Whaotapu occurred in 2014, when Mana Whenua Rangatira and Kaumatua of Tāmaki Makaurau, and hapū, iwi of Aotearoa, gathered together in honour of the historical kaupapa of bringing the Tohunga Toi Ake together as a collective. Mana Whenua agreed that to futureproof the legacy of Tohunga Toi Ake, they would support Whaotapu to preserve and protect of the ancient first language of Māori - Toi.

https://whaotapu.com