2026
'Ake, Ake, Ake!'
Programme
announcing our 2026 offerings
Taki Rua is excited to announce our 2026 programme.
We will be touring three shows in 2026 and featuring a Main Bill Show at Circa Theatre.
Rangatahi Tour
WAENGA
In collaboration with Hurō Productions
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Waenga follows Connie, a fiery, quick-witted young wāhine caught in the crossfire of chasing her dreams and an unexplainable visit to a place she doesn’t belong.
Alongside her is Grayson, a junior defence lawyer navigating the complexities of the legal system while trying to uphold his identity and mana motuhake.
Waenga will tour to High Schools in the following regions
9-16 March 2026 - Wellington
17-20 March 2026 - Dunedin
23 March 2026 - Timaru/Temuka
24-27 March 2026 - Christchurch
School bookings will be priced at $10.00 per person and will need a min of 100 attendees.
If you are interested in booking a performance in your school,
get in touch with us at info@takirua.co.nz for more details.
Main Bill Production
WHAKAPAPA
By Willy Craig Fransen
Directed by Jamie McCaskill and Paul McGlaughlin
Starring Maaka Pohatu and Hariata Moriarty
CIRCA Theatre
Taki Rua presents the world premiere of ‘Whakapapa’
An uncle and his niece, stuck in MIQ, on their way back from two different cities in Australia to visit their ailing Koro, remind us what it was like when Aotearoa experienced 'covid times'. Now, part of this country's own whakapapa, Whakapapa, the play, delves into historical whānau truths - unearthing memories and surprises that cause pleasure, pride and pain. This story, set in one of the most challenging times of our recent history, where contact tracing tracked the whakapapa of our movements, reminds us through comedy, music and excellent storytelling, just how unprecedented those times really were.
Whakapapa will play at CIRCA Theatre 22nd May-13th June
Tickets for this show will be available from the CIRCA Website from 24th November 2025
Te Reo Māori Season
RERE ATU TAKU POI
By Bea Joblin
Adapted from the book by Tangaroa Paul
Directed by Regan Taylor
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Taki Rua presents the return of acclaimed show 'Rere Atu Taku Poi'
Winner of the 2025 PAYPA Production of the Year Award!
Rangi loves doing haka but performing poi is his favourite - even though his classmates say it's just for girls. When the lead poi performer falls sick before a school performance, Rangi has to take her place. How will the other students and audience react - 'Surely a boy can't lead the poi?'
Rere Atu Taku Poi will tour to kura in the following regions
3-7 AUGUST - Kāpiti/Palmerston North/Whanganui/New Plymouth
10-14 AUGUST - Waikato
17-21 AUGUST - North Auckland/Wellsford/Whangarei/Bay of Islands
24-28 AUGUST - Far North/Orewa/Thames/Tauranga
31 AUGUST-4 SEPTEMBER - Bay of Plenty/Gisborne
7-11 SEPTEMBER - Uawa/Waihi/Hawke's Bay
14-18 SEPTEMBER - Central Hawke's Bay/Wairarapa
21-24 SEPTEMBER - Wellington/Porirua/Hutt Region
If you are interested in booking a performance in your school,
get in touch with us at info@takirua.co.nz for more details
Tātarakihi Tour
KAHUKURA AO LELEI
By Renee Iosefa
Directed by Anapela Polataivao
This children’s play tells the story of Kahukura and Ao Lelei, a brother and sister from Aotearoa and Samoa.
They follow the rainbow across the Pacific in search of answers to climate change. Along the way, they meet friends of the forest, the river, the stars, and the ocean.
They learn that the answers are in nature – but it is people who must make the change.
Kahukura Ao Lelei will tour to community venues and kura in the following regions
24-30 OCTOBER - Nelson/Motueka/Blenheim/Kaikoura
2-6 NOVEMBER - Christchurch
9-13 NOVEMBER - Timaru/Oamaru
16-20 NOVEMBER - Dunedin/Invercargill
23-27 NOVEMBER - Wellington
If you are interested in booking a performance in your school,
get in touch with us at info@takirua.co.nz for more details
Tickets and venues for community shows will be released in 2026