About Us

Back in the early 80s, writers like Hone Kouka and Apirana Taylor found a way to combine the protocols of the marae and western theatre to articulate Maori and Pakeha issues in a way that was sophisticated, gutsy and politically savvy: they called it marae theatre because it so effectively combined the two. Back then, the combination took place in a physical venue in Wellington's theatre precinct and was called the New Depot. In 1991 the New Depot changed its name to Taki Rua – Depot Theatre, reflecting a commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi and the partnership between Maori and Pakeha.

In 1997, the name became Taki Rua Productions and we liberated ourselves from the obligations of a performance venue. We focused instead on what we considered to be most important: commissioning, producing and touring original New Zealand work.

Taki Rua Productions serves the community by providing theatre in te reo Maori to schools, kura kaupapa and kohanga reo, script and professional development opportunities, as well as workshops for emerging writers.

Our theatre tours in Maori and English bring us into direct contact with New Zealand’s young people and new audiences who are often unable to experience professional theatre. Taki Rua Productions believes strongly in nurturing a bicultural theatre audience for the future.

“The plays of Taki Rua have done as much as any historian or documentary maker - and more than most - to illustrate life in NZ … In fact, I count them among the clearest, most illuminated and positive examples of Pakeha and Maori crossovers I've ever encountered.”

– James Littlewood, Film, Television & Media, Auckland University

 

 The Taki Rua Team

 

 

 

James Ashcroft  – Tumuaki (Creative Director)

Ngati Kahi and Ngapuhi from Paraparaumu, Wellington

James has been the recipient of many awards but most recently won the Chapman Tripp Awards for Most Promising Male Actor, Best Producer for Most Original Production and Best Production in 2006. James has been a successful director of Takirua who has taken it from strength to strength both within Aotearoa and abroad.

 

 

Keryn Aroha Jones - (Marketing and Sponsorship Manager)

Ngai Takoto, Ngati Kahu, Te Aupouri, Nga Puhi, Tarara

Keryn is a native speaker of te reo maori and has experience with community, hapu and iwi development. She is a performer/singer/songwriter who has represented her iwi and hapu on an international platform at various indigenous festivals and conferences. Keryn is currently completing a commerce degree at Victoria University majoring in Marketing and Commercial Law.

 

Ngaire Gallagher (Chartered Accountant)

Ngati Raukawa

Ngaire Gallagher established her own accounting practice in 2003. Since then, the firm has enjoyed steady growth over 6 years due to its ability to retain clients and deliver superior services consistently. Ngaire Gallagher clients are located throughout Wellington, preferring to stay with the firm when they relocate.

 

 

 Marlena Campbell (Production Manager)

Marlena is an established, respected and highly apt production extraordinaire. She has been apart of many professional theatre shows and is often called in by Toi Whakaari NZ drama school to help them out though she graduated from the school years before. Her vibrant personality provides many a smile for her team.

 

 

Renae Maihi - (Tour Co-ordinator & Website Panui Co-ordinator) 

Te Arawa, Ngati Whakaue and Nga Puhi, Ngati Hine.

Renae is an actor/playwright/screenwriter as well as a busy mother to Dallas (7yrs old) .  As well as performances in theatre and short film she has also written her first play "Nga Manurere". In 2007 she completed a year learning to speak te reo in a total immersion kura. She is also the co-founder of Te Arapiki Maori Writers roopu in Auckland and is dedicated to Maori theatre in Aotearoa.

 

 

Rangimoana Taylor (Kaumatua/Board Member)

Ngati Porou, Kai Tahu

Rangimoana is a senior member of the theatre community in Aotearoa as well as being experienced and erudie in aspects and features of tikanga Maori. Rangimoana Taylor is one of the most respected Maori storytellers in Aotearoa. 

 

Piri Sciascia (Kaumatua for "Strange Resting Places")

Ngati Kahungunu and Kai Tahu with strong affiliations to Ngati Raukawa and Ngati Rangitane.

Piri is Te Toiahurei (Maori) Pro Vice-Chancellor (Maori) at Te Wananga o Wikitoria

As Toiahurei, Piri leads the Toihuarewa - a faculty equivalent academic forum where Maori academic interests are examined, debated and discussed. He convenes and chairs Victoria's Treaty of Waitangi Advisory Committee. A graduate of Victoria and Otago Universities, Piri became Victoria University's first Assistance Vice-Chancellor (Maori), Te Toiahurei in July 2000 and was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor (Maori) in May 2003.

 

Kahu Hotere (Kaitautoko)

Ngati Maniapoto, Te Aupouri, Ngati Wai

Kahu has been part of the Taki Rua whanau for many years as an actor and writer. Kahu currently lives in Cambridge and leads the Mauri Ora programme at Te Wananga o Aotearoa.

 

Board Members - (Nga Kaiwhakahaere)

 

Simon Garrett (Treasurer)

 

 

 

 

Cath Nesus

 

 

 

 

Rangi Wilson

 

 

 

 

 Tony Hopkins

 

 

 

 

Jo Morris

 

 

 

  

Grant Roa

 

 

 

 

Jenny Clark

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pita Turei

 

 

 

 

Rangimoana Taylor

 

 

 

 

 Mike Hollings (Chairman) - Absent