Te Pou Theatre – a home for Māori storytelling

Te Pou Theatre is a kaupapa Māori (Māori ideology) performing arts venue for all, dedicated to bringing Māori stories and voices to the stage. 

It was founded in 2015 by Tainui Tukiwaho and Amber Curreen, who set out to build a whare (home) for Māori theatre in response to the desires of the Auckland Māori Performing Arts Community. Since then, Te Pou has continued to grow.

They offer an annual programme of Māori performing arts, wānanga, and festivals including their annual Kōanga Festival, showcasing works that reflect the diversity of Māori experience as well as nurturing emerging talent.

Te Pou Theatre is located at the Corban Estate Arts Centre in Waitākere, west Auckland, a heritage site with artist studios and galleries situated in park-like grounds. 

As part of the Treasures of Tāmaki Makaurau, Te Pou Theatre offers manuhiri (visitors) a unique way to experience Māori culture through the immediacy and intimacy of live theatre, a space where Māori stories are celebrated and shared.

Through productions, festivals, workshops and community activity, Te Pou Theatre welcomes visitors to enjoy contemporary Māori theatre, while also getting to experience traditions that are rooted in culture and whenua (land).  

Each spring, Te Pou hosts Kōanga Festival – an annual celebration of Māori playwrights and new stories for the stage. Running since 2014, Kōanga Festival has become an important platform for the development of new Māori theatre, supporting writers to bring their works from page to stage. The festival features readings, workshops and performances, and has launched many plays that have gone on to be staged across the motu (country). 

By cultivating fresh voices and bold ideas, Kōanga continues a tradition of storytelling that stretches back through generations. It is a place where audiences can experience the energy of new Māori theatre and support the future of Māori performing arts.

Dedicated to uplifting their community and being accessible to all, Te Pou ​Theatre ​offers regular rangatahi (youth) activities, waiata (singing) classes and te reo Māori (Māori language) lessons, free for the public and open for visitors to join.

Te Pou Theatre’s kaupapa (purpose) is to provide mana (spiritual power) uplifting experiences and storytelling through kaupapa Māori led, collective approaches to performing arts.

Te Pou Theatre’s wawata (vision) is that ​tikanga Māori (Māori customs) led performing arts transforms the arts sector and makes a difference to society in Aotearoa New Zealand and the world.  

Check out the Te Pou website to find out what shows and activities are on this month!