PO BOX 11223
Manners St, Wellington, New Zealand 6142
office@kiamaufestival.org
The Aotearoans
New Zealand or Aotearoa? Or both? Or nah? From Īhaka Martyn, a recipient of Kia Mau Festival’s inaugural innovative new initiative, He Toi Puaki, we present the World Premiere Season of The Aotearoans.
Five DIVERSE New Zealanders.
One simple question.
A nation’s identity at stake.
Brought together to decide once and for all—New Zealand or Aotearoa?—this unlikely panel of personalities quickly discovers that nothing about this debate is simple. As opinions clash and tensions rise, the group’s differences become more of a hindrance than a help. But as they struggle to reach a consensus, something far bigger looms over their discussion. Because the elephant in the room? It might not be an elephant at all… or even from this world.
The Aotearoans is sharp, thought-provoking, and unexpectedly otherworldly exploration of identity, belonging, and the forces that shape us—don’t miss this bold new work.
He Toi Puaki – Seed Commissions, is a significant evolution in Kia Mau’s commitment to nurturing indigenous voices and fostering homegrown talent amongst our arts whānau here in Te Upoko o te Ika a Māui. He Toi Puaki embodies the essence of its name by serving as a platform for emerging artists to blossom from seeds of creativity into fully realised productions. This commissioning opportunity is set to redefine the landscape of indigenous performance art in Aotearoa.
Among the inaugural recipients of the He Toi Puaki commission are Emma Katene, Īhaka Martyn, and the dynamic partnership known as CONJAH, forged between Jahra Wasasala and Ooshcon.
“I am hoping to make people really interrogate what “New Zealand” or “Aotearoa” means to them… Most of all I hope to get out what is inside, namely a great sense of hōhā about this post-colonial nightmare, and its massive identity crisis.”
Dates
05-08 June 2025
7.30pm
4.30pm Sunday
Venue
Circa Theatre
1 Taranaki Street
Te Aro
Wellington
circa.co.nz
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
Friend of Circa: $25
Under 25: $20
Group 6+: $30
Student (including tertiary, te whare wānanga, polytech, kura kaupapa and secondary school students).): $15
Children (14 years and under): $10
Creative Credits
Writer Īhaka Martyn (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa; Scotland, England, Wales)
Producer H-J Kilkelly (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe)
Director Tawhi Thomas (Ngāti Maniapoto)
Designer Grace O’Brien
Dramaturg Sameena Zehra
Production Designer Grace O’Brien
Sound Designer Justin Cederholm
Taonga Pūoro Ruby Solly
Stage Manager Manny Corpuz
Intern Designer Giulietta Whitney
Cast
Salesi Le’ota
Lynda Chanwai-Earle
Cassidy Kemp-Woffenden
Ralph Johnson
Rongopai Tickell
About Īhaka Martyn
Īhaka Huia James Martyn (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa; Scotland, England, Wales) is a playwright, actor, and the Script Coordinator at He Rōpū Tautoko Tito Whakaari o Aotearoa, Playmarket. I tipu ake ia ki Tāmaki-makau-rau, e noho ana ia ki Pōneke ināianei.
He studied Music and Theatre at Otago University and a Masters in Scriptwriting at the IIML at Te Herenga Waka. His most recent artistic credits are playing ‘Billy’ in Ella Yiannoutsos’ No No No in 2024, a development season of his play Slowing the Sun at the 2023 Kia Mau Festival, and three seasons of his auto-biographical solo piece, He Māori? in 2022 and 2023.
Īhaka has been making stuff and breaking legs in theatres around the motu since he was a kid, and is always searching for what tugs at the puku.
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!
ROC+ Photography
Sierra Sevilla