Waiora Te Ūkaipō - The Homeland

Set in the summer of 1965, Waiora follows Hone, who brings his whānau from the East Cape to the South Island in search of a better life.

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  • Words by Auckland Arts Festival
  • Last updated 07 Nov 2025

As they gather for a beachside birthday hāngī with their Pākehā guests, buried secrets and cultural tensions rise to the surface. Far away from home, can they find a place to stand together or will they be set adrift in an ocean of change? 

First performed in 1996, Waiora is a landmark piece of Aotearoa theatre exploring the impact of colonisation, the urban drift, and the tension between past and future. Multi-award-winning writer Hone Kouka returns to direct his own powerful reflection on family, culture and belonging.

Location Te wāhi
ASB Waterfront Theatre
ASB Waterfront Theatre, Wynyard Quarter
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Getting there Te huarahi ki reira

ASB Waterfront Theatre is a 17-minute walk from Waitematā Station and accessible by many bus routes, including the City Link route.

Dates and Times
  • Fri 06 Mar 7pm
  • Sat 07 Mar 2pm
  • Sat 07 Mar 7pm
  • Sun 08 Mar 4pm
  • Tue 10 Mar 7pm
  • Wed 11 Mar 7pm
  • Thu 12 Mar 7pm
  • Fri 13 Mar 8pm
  • Sat 14 Mar 8pm
  • Sun 15 Mar 4pm
  • Tue 17 Mar 7pm
  • Wed 18 Mar 7pm
  • Thu 19 Mar 7pm
  • Fri 20 Mar 8pm
  • Sat 21 Mar 2pm
  • Sat 21 Mar 8pm
  • Sun 22 Mar 4pm