Theatre for Tamariki
An award winning writter for children, Rutene’s work celebrates identity, curiosity and the joy of seeing our stories reflected on stage.
Created for tamariki and their whānau, these works are playful, energetic theatre experiences that invite young audiences to laugh, sing, imagine and connect through te reo Māori, live music and contemporary storytelling.
An award winning writter for children, Rutene’s work celebrates identity, curiosity and the joy of seeing our stories reflected on stage.
These productions have been professionally developed and presented with some of Aotearoa’s leading theatre companies (The Court Theatre, Auckland Theatre Company, Circa Theatre), while remaining flexible and accessible for schools, kura, festivals and community productions.
Available for License
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CAST: 3 | FOR AGES: 5-11
Licensed by Playmarket
A musical and theatrical exploration of the gifts of Te Reo Māori, He Kura Kōrero follows three ‘collectors’ who, after gathering treasures from around the world, find their newest and greatest gift: Te Reo Māori.
The show is a love-letter to the language and questions how children and adults alike can utilise and treasure Te Reo Māori in everyday life.
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CAST: 3 | FOR AGES: 5-11
Maia sets off on a quest across waitaha (Canterbury) to find the legendary giant bird, the Pouākai (Haast's eagle) only to discover that the fearsome creature is actually terrified of flying. Told through spectacular puppetry, kapa haka, live music, and Te Reo Māori, this action-packed production is a heartwarming story about conquering fears, embracing differences, and finding your own wings.
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CAST: 3 + | FOR AGES: 5-11
Licene by Playmarket
This play introduces audiences to the iconic character of Māui and shares with them the traditional myth of Māui and the Sun.
Take a wild journey with Māui as he battles rugged bush, climbs lofty mountains and swims the roaring seas in order to solve the mystery of the racing sun.
No one believes that cheeky Māui will be able to solve the problems of his village but with help perhaps he can prove them wrong.Can meeting many mysterious and magical creatures on his travels give Māui the wisdom he needs for the final fight? As he reaches the end of the earth and battles the sun he needs the help of everyone in the audience to succeed.
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CAST: 1-3 | FOR AGES: 3-5
Pīpī Paopao is a performance for tamariki, singing the stories and birdsong of our manu rangatira (noble birdlife) through waiata and play.
Whether you are fluent in te reo Māori or at the start of your journey, come and explore the beauty of the traditional language that echoes the sounds of te taiao (nature).
The tītī chatters, the kākā cackles, and the kererū coos – which manu are you?
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CAST: 3 | FOR AGES: 5-11
A sensitive and earnest young girl named Kahurangi attempts to call the Matariki star constellation into the winter sky to spark the New Year celebrations. To her distress, she fails because Ururangi, the youngest daughter of the mother star Matariki, has gone missing in action
COLLABORATORS
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Tairāwhiti Arts Festival
Te Pou Theatre
Nelson Arts Festival
Taranaki Arts Festival
Tauranga Arts Festival
Koanga Festival
Maoriland
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Tuatara Collective (Tauranga, NZ)
The Court Theatre (Christchurch NZ)
New Zealand Opera (Auckland, NZ)
Playmarket New Zealand
Auckland Theatre Company (NZ)
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Holly Chappell-Eason
Matt Eller
Bray Jefferey
Ani-Piki Tuari
Jennifer Ward-Leiland
Jess Sayer
Henare Kaa
Shea Kokaua
Bianca Seinafo
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Evoke Audio (Auckland, NZ)
Creative Ambiance Stage Technologies (Auckland, NZ)
2113 Creatives (Hamilton, NZ)
Performing Arts Network New Zealand (PANNZ) (NZ)
Te Pou Theatre (Auckland, NZ)
Vanessa Immink Productions (NZ)
