Whanake

Hair. Eyes. Mind. Three Maori stories are interwoven into a sharp cathartic expression of indigenous frustration. Whanake is an hour-long dramatic play that revels in the uncomfortable history and uncertain future of Aotearoa. Our shared experiences and histories culminated in this one hour performance. 

Whanake is an enthralling, impactful and innovative work set to premiere at Te Auaha for the New Zealand Fringe Festival 2025.

We have an amazing team of emerging Maori and Pasifika artists and students. Our company Te Whare Tapere Collective seeks to tell authentic indigenous stories. 

Cast and Crew:

Writer and Director - Ezra Jones-Moki

Writer and Cast - Tiaki Sharp

Writer and Cast - Miren Duffet

Writer and Cast - Moata Albrett

Cast - Ngarongonui Mareikura-Ellery

Production Manager - Viki Moananu

This funding will help us fairly compensate our talented cast and crew for their incredible mahi and cover the production costs needed to bring this important work to the stage:

Your generous support will go directly toward:

• Artist koha
• Venue costs
• Set and props
• Hiring rehearsal spaces
• Marketing

Sourcing funding as emerging artists is always a challenge, especially in the current climate. Any donation, big or small, will be immensely appreciated and will help us create an unforgettable show. 

Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa

Hair. Eyes. Mind. Three Maori stories are interwoven into a sharp cathartic expression of indigenous frustration. Whanake is an hour-long dramatic play that revels in the uncomfortable history and uncertain future of Aotearoa. Our shared experiences and histories culminated in this one hour performance.

Hair. A story of vulnerability as Awanui goes for their first haircut and has a shocking encounter that leaves them shaken as they narrowly escape by a hair.

Eyes. Mana, a young student, is brought to a new school where they struggle to be heard and seen.

Mind. Two young Maori are forced to play games at the hand of the host. Their worldviews and lives are challenged as they realise not everyone has an open heart or an open mind.

Whanake is presented by an emerging company made up of Maori and Pasifika artists and students based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Our company focuses on expanding indigenous storytelling by telling authentic indigenous stories with care, compassion and emotion. The project was inspired in part due to the recent treaty principles bill and the way in which Aoteroa’s history is easily erased by people who would force us to forget it. Whanake will be a powerful testament to indigenous strength but also the raw and complicated truth of New Zealand history.

Whanake is a powerful, innovative and deeply emotional show that seeks to empower emerging Maori artists in recounting their history through theatre. With the recent signing of the treaty principles bill and mobilisation of thousands of Maori and non-maori against it, Whanake is an anthem and recounting of indigenous frustration and carthasis. 

We are also a collective of emerging Pasifika and Maori artists and staging this show would go a long way in solidifying more Maori practitioners in NZ theatre.