PO BOX 11223
Manners St, Wellington, New Zealand 6142
office@kiamaufestival.org
A Short History of Asian New Zealand Theatre
Performance essay meets spin class. As part of Kia Mau Festival’s He Ngaru Nui programme, this is the new work from writer, director and creator Nathan Joe.
Welcome to
A Short History of Asian New Zealand Theatre
A retrospective and history lesson in 10 Exercises
A performance lecture
A personal essay with many persons
An epic poem spanning the last 30 years (or so)
An essay within an essay within a…
A sometimes linear
Sometimes non-linear
Chronology of events
Of feelings, of thoughts
After all, history like memory, is fragmentary, elliptical, untrustworthy
But worth searching for
An Asian performer is tasked with the mission to deliver a presentation on Asian New Zealand theatre history while riding a stationary bicycle.
Special Guest Appearances:
Wed 11 June, 7pm – Nathan Joe
Thu 12 June, 7pm – Dawn Cheong
Fri 13 June, 7pm – Cassandra Tse
Sat 14 June, 2pm – Dylan Menon
Sat 14 June, 7pm – Sean Rivera
A Premiere Season in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington, A Short History of Asian New Zealand Theatre is presented by Punctum Productions, a vehicle for self-determination for Asian Artists in Aotearoa.
Content warnings include M Rated, strong language, mention of racialised violence and slight strobing effect.
He Ngaru Nui is more than just a collection of performances—it is a bold statement about the value and significance of Indigenous narratives. These shows take stories that sometimes feel small, intimate, or unheard, and amplify them on the grand stages they deserve. This programming strand honours the storytelling traditions of Māori, Pasifika and global indigenous cultures, while pushing the boundaries of contemporary performance. It’s about taking stories from our communities and sharing them with the world in a way that is both respectful and revolutionary.
“The work asks for us to be present, to experience, to breathe, sweat and spin together.”
Dates
11-14 June 2025
7pm + 2pm Matinee
Duration 70 mins
Venue
Te Auaha
65 Dixon Street
Te Aro
Wellington
teauahaevents.com
Tickets
Early Bird Adult Ticket: $25 (Available until 24 April 2025)
Adult Ticket: $35
Concession Ticket (Kaumātua, Senior Citizens, Community Services Cardholders and Unwaged): $30
Group 6+: $25
Student (including tertiary, te whare wānanga, polytech, kura kaupapa and secondary school students): $20
Student Standby: $15
Creative Credits
Producers Nahyeon Lee & Pennie Chang
Director / Writer / Creator Nathan Joe
AV Designer Darryl Chin
Bike Designer John Harris
Sound Designer Tei.
Lighting Designer Zane Allen
Learn More About Punctum Productions
Created by Nahyeon Lee, Punctum Productions is a vehicle for self-determination for Asian Artists in Aotearoa.
Learn More About Kia Mau Festival
Tihei mauri ora!
Ka mihi ki ngā uri o te whenua o Te Upoko o te ika a Māui.
E ngā haukāinga o te rohe nei, Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Taranaki Whānui,
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa!
Kia Mau Festival is at the forefront of contemporary Tāngata Whenua, Tāngata Moana, and Indigenous theatre and dance in Aotearoa and beyond. We are innovators—pushing boundaries, redefining forms, and forging new paths with creative risk-taking at every step. Right here, right now, we bring together local, national, and international artists in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. We find the intersection where our stories intertwine, creating an experience that is uniquely ‘local’ yet unparalleled in Pōneke throughout the year.
Kia Mau offers a truly unique experience, led by Tāngata Whenua, Tāngata Moana, and Indigenous voices at every level—from our leadership to our artists and audiences. Unlike any other festival, we are not just a platform for presentations; we are a hub for kōrero and whanaungatanga.
Our festival serves as a whare where Tāngata Whenua, Tāngata Moana, and Indigenous artists and their communities are supported throughout the creation, development, and staging of their works. By providing a nurturing environment, we empower individual artists, strengthen their capabilities, and enrich the arts sector, celebrating the diversity and talent of Tāngata Whenua, Tāngata Moana, and Indigenous artists.
With our deep understanding of the arts sector and strong relationships with artists from emerging talents to established figures, we identify those at pivotal moments in their careers or with significant projects. By including them in the Kia Mau Festival programme, we support them in taking strategic steps forward. This approach has allowed Kia Mau Festival to make a substantial impact on numerous artists and, consequently, shape the contemporary arts landscape.
Returning to Te Upoko o te Ika a Māui, Aotearoa New Zealand from 30 May – 14 June 2025. Nau mai, haramai! Nau mai, hoki mai ki te hui ahurei o Kia Mau!
Raven Spirit Dance