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Join us at Te Pou Theatre for an intimate evening of play readings, celebrating the development of new works by Māori playwrights at Kōanga Festival 2024. The Kōanga Playwrights Programme is the beating heart of the festival. In this special play reading event audiences are invited to hear brand new plays read publicly for the first time following a week of workshopping with top Māori performing arts creatives.
HAERE nā Tawhi Thomas
HAERE is a series of punchy short scenes that explore relationship dynamics between Māori and Pākehā. Each scene takes place on a different mode of transport and is set in a specific time era
from throughout the history of modern Aotearoa. The aim is to take the audience on a ride where tensions are reflected and connections are celebrated. How far have we come?
Tawhi Thomas (Ngāti Maniapoto)
Ko Ngāti Maniapoto te iwi.
Kāwhia moana, Kāwhia kai, Kāwhia tangata!
Tawhi is a seasoned and accomplished playwright. His career spans across 30 years. Tawhi has penned several award winning plays, including Have Car Will Travel, Hui and Pakaru. He is excited to share this new idea as a part of Kōanga Festival 2024.
WET nā Tūī Matelau
Well firstly, Aroha writes for her own pleasure. But, her subscription stats would suggest she writes for others too. However, it’s not the bodice-ripper-thirst-traps that filled your aunty’s shelves. But, it gets the job done if you know what I mean. Which is probably what her sister needs to be honest. And maybe her ex husband. But actually, he can go fuck himself. Which is really what we’re talking about here.
Aroha writes erotic fiction online and her subscriptions statistics would suggest she does it very well. In Wet, she is met with numerous challenges and unrelenting judgement from those closest to her as she tries to expand her ‘cliterature’ fanbase into erotic podcasts.
Tūī Matelau (Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa, Tonga – Foui, Pākehā)
Tui is an academic, playwright and poet. From a young age, she loved writing, reading and learning. Tui is currently a lecturer at AUT with a research focus on the construction of identity for Māori and Pacific people in Aotearoa. Tui has had a theatre script selected for Playmarket’s Brown Ink development programme, and has participated in the Script to Screen South Shorts Programme. Tui also received Ngā Aho Whakaari development funding through MAP: Emerging Storytellers to develop a film script. Each opportunity has enabled her to develop further as a writer. She knows that being a part of the Kōanga Playwrights Programme will enable her to develop further and take the necessary steps to lift her writing off the page.
After the play readings, come along to Ngā Rorirori by Hone Kouka in our main theatre. Tickets for all Kōanga shows are available here.
Kaituhi | Writer
Kaitohu | Director
Dramaturg
Kaiwhakaari | Actor
Kaiwhakaari | Actor
Kaiwhakaari | Actor
Kaiwhakaari | Actor
Kaituhi | Writer
Kaituhi | Writer
Kaitohu | Director
Dramaturg
Kaiwhakaari | Actor
Kaiwhakaari | Actor
Kaiwhakaari | Actor
Kaiwhakaari | Actor
Kaiwhakaari | Actor
Kaiwhakaari | Actor
Kaituhi | Writer
Kaiwhakaari
Kaiwhakaari
All tickets to this event are General Admission and are currently available online.
Kōanga Season Pass
Don’t want to miss anything this Kōanga Festival? For the first time EVER we’ve created season passes! Check out the details…
$180 Taumata Pass | Access to all ticketed Kōanga events
$90 Kōuru Pass | Access to our Tokomanawa main bills: Rutene Spooner’s Be Like Billy? Ngā Rorirori & Neke
$60 Mahuri Pass | Access to new works: Both Play Readings & Māori Krishna + AltarNative
General Tickets
$40 Tīkiti Tautoko | This unsubsidised ticket price supports Te Pou Theatre
$20 Tīkiti Ngākau Hihiko (Early Bird)
$25 Pakeke (Adult)
$20 Kaumatua (Senior) | Gold Card may be required
$20 Hapori (Community services card holders/ Equity members) | Community services card and Equity card may be required
$20 Rangatahi/Tamaiti
$20 Rōpū (6+) | When booking 6 groups or more
If you need assistance with your booking please contact us at ticketing@tepoutheatre.nz
When you arrive at Corban Estate, follow the signs that lead to our whare.
CycleThere is a scenic cycle way that leads to Corban Estate Arts Centre. Lock your bike up in the bike stand available on site.
Bus & trainBus and train links arrive at Henderson Transport Centre, which is within walking distance to our whare. Check the public transport route in your area to plan your trip.
ParkingFollow parking directions as you enter into Corban Estate Arts Centre.
The Te Kōpua foyer, bar, kauta and pae tīkiti will be open 1 hour before show time. 
Our Bar serves a full range of beverages (non alcoholic and alcoholic) and snacks.
Our Kauta will be open for tasty bites before the show including steamed hāngī buns from The Hāngī Master, a vegetarian platter and a selection from ‘I Love Pies’.
🎟️ Our Pae Tīkiti (Box Office) will be open for ticket sales and pick ups.
Note: We no longer accept cash payments but welcome all major cards and paywave.
Our whare is accessible to wheelchairs and walkers.
To ensure you have the best visiting experience, contact us at ticketing@tepoutheatre.nz about your access needs so we can anticipate your visit.
Please note, your walker will need to be stored away during the performance so that it’s not a trip hazard to other patrons. An usher will return your walker to you whenever you need it.
Service animals are welcome at our whare. If you’re bringing a service animal to an event, contact us at ticketing@tepoutheatre.nz before your visit so we can anticipate your arrival.
We encourage you to share the gift of theatre by passing your ticket onto someone else to enjoy if you have to stay home.
