Past Work

Fresh Off the Boat

Alternately hilarious and sobering, this milestone Pasifika play tells a culturally challenging yet universally Kiwi story about family, culture shock and what we owe each other.

O Le Malaga Fa’a’Atua (The Journey of the Gods)

Inspired by classic myths and legends from Tonga, Samoa and Aotearoa, this Canterbury primary school touring show follows demigod Māui’s quest to prove himself worthy of becoming a fully-fledged god.

Au Ko Tuvalu

Waves are lapping dangerously at the shores of Tuvalu as three siblings pack up their belongings and prepare to flee for a new life in Aotearoa. While Lifa and Maleko are excited, their sister struggles to say goodbye to their homeland in this stunning Pasifika play.

Fresh Ink: Scholars

The shores of Samoa seem endlessly far away for young Tavita, who has left his home to attend school in New Zealand. A Pasifika perspective on friendship, family and culture shock, this epic play depicts the pressures on a Samoan family across three generations.

Astroman

It’s 1983, and young Hemi ‘Jimmy’ Te Rehua knows how to dominate the games at the Whakatāne Astrocade Amusement Parlour. Too smart for his own good, Jimmy has a knack for trouble. A uniquely Kiwi coming-of-age story, Astroman is full of heart, Michael Jackson dance moves and a giant dollop of ‘80s nostalgia.

Ē Toru 2018

Three Māori and Pasifika companies from Ōtautahi each present an evening of compelling and essential works in progress. Each night, a new and unique piece will meet an audience for the first time. Be part of their creation.

The Biggest

With determination (and not a lot else) Walter, Pat, Mick and Stu try to win big at the local fishing competition. They’re after a replacement for Stu’s dream-boat; the one he spent his life-savings on… And then wrote off, landing himself in a wheel-chair. Can they catch The Biggest?

He Kura Kōrero

He Kura Kōrero is a new bilingual tale of wonder and delight from the same creative team that brought you Māui me te Rā, Matariki – The Little Eyes in the Sky and Matatihi – Maia’s Journey of Bravery. This stunning performance explores Te Reo Māori through live music, puppetry, kapa haka, song and storytelling.

Matai

Becoming the Chief of the aiga (family) is a great honour with even greater responsibility – one that Lui is struggling to take on as he questions the relevance of Samoan culture in New Zealand.

The Māori and Pasifika Festival

As part of The Court’s ongoing commitment to presenting New Zealand works the theatre will be hosting a series of workshops, play readings, presentations and forums, as well as a hui for writers and performers living in and around Ōtautahi.

Matatihi: Maia's Journey of Bravery

Matatihi- Maia’s journey of bravery will expose children to stories and characters routed in the Canterbury rohe, taking the audience on a journey to discover Te waka o Aoraki; local mountains, lakes and legendary creatures. This show inspired young people to be bold, to be proud of what makes them different and to carve their own path in the world.

He Kura E Huna Ana

An age-old Ngāi Tahu love story, set in the waters of the Arahura river, comes to life. He Kura e Huna Ana traces the tragic love story of the beautiful Waitaiki and her husband Tamaahu who are torn apart by Poutini, the taniwha.

He kōrero tahito tēnei o Ngāi Tahu, o te awa tipua o Arahura, o te pounamu. Ko He kura e huna ana he kōrero e ruku ana i te aroha mutunga kore o Tamaahua mō Waitaiki, ā, i kahakina e Poutini te taniwha.

Waiora

Hone brought his family from the East Cape to the South Island to seek a better life, but leaving their whānau and ancestors has taken its toll.

As they prepare for a beachside birthday party in the late summer of 1965, what should be a celebration brings secrets and cultural clashes to the surface. Far away from their tipuna, can they find a place to stand together or be set adrift in an ocean of change.

Matariki – the Little Eyes in the Sky

Matariki – the Little Eyes in the Sky tells the story of Kahurangi and her adventure to meet each of the sisters and their nurturing mother. Along the way she is given valuable life lessons in strength, sharing, kindness, encouragement and positive attitude, all under the watchful eye of Matariki.

Using live music and singing, large scale puppetry, storytelling, te reo, kapa haka and audience interaction, this magical story encouraged students on their own journey of discovery.

Not In Our Neighbourhood

A filmmaker is invited to Te Whāriki Manawāhine ō Hauraki, a refuge for women, to document its clients and raise awareness about domestic violence. While there she encounters Sasha, Cat and Teresa – three very different women from different backgrounds each with their own unique story to tell.

Thought-provoking and refreshingly honest, Not In Our Neighbourhood showcases the resilience of women facing the many guises of domestic violence.

Whakaahuatia Mai

Eleven year old Miharo is forced to cancel his birthday party after his kuia passes. His family must travel up north to their marae for her tangi, where Miharo meets his whānau for the first time.

Written in te reo Māori by Kahu Hotere and directed by the esteemed Nancy Brunning, Whakaahuatia Mai shows a moment of discovery for Miharo, a young boy learning the beauty of tikanga, the importance of tangihanga and the meaning of whakapapa.

Niu Sila

In 1970s suburban New Zealand, six-year-old Ioane Tafioka, fresh off the boat from the islands, moves in next door to Peter Burton. Instantly becoming best friends, they spend every day together. As the boys become teenagers they succumb to their stereotypical paths, drifting apart, until a chance reunion twenty years later forces them to confront their ghost of years past.

He Kura E Huna Ana Development Season

A work in development from Taki Rua Productions and told in te reo, this story tells of Poutini and Waitaiki – love, challenge and danger and the myths of pounamu.

Every stone has a story, but none as poignant as the tale of Tamaahua, Poutini and Waitaiki. Kidnapped by Poutini the taniwha, the beautiful Waitaiki is held captive while her husband, Tamaahua, is hot on their heels in pursuit.

Maui and the Sun

Take a wild journey with Maui as he battles rugged bush, swims the roaring seas and struggles through snow storms in order to solve the mystery of the racing sun.

Our story starts as Maui receives the gift from his Grandmother of a beautiful Tui, who will become his loyal sidekick on his journey. Can meeting many mysterious and magical creatures on his travels give Maui the wisdom he needs for the final fight?