Conversations With Wāhine

Caught in the legislative machinery of “move-on” orders, Connie, a young wahine Māori - finds herself in a police holding cell where everything is in question: her freedom, her future, and whether survival is even possible in today’s political landscape. Witnessing the inequity of Connie’s experience, her friend Peyton begins to realise what a Tangata Tiriti partnership really means, while Grayson, a young Māori lawyer, navigates a justice system that demands more than it gives.
 
“In today's volatile climate this play is a chance to ask – how do I make my own voice count? How do I make my vote count?” says director, Jim Moriarty.
 
Waenga premiered at the Kia Mau Festival in 2025 and was presented to hundreds of students in schools during 2025 and early 2026, alongside a tour with Taki Rua. In this new expanded version Te Rākau are adding their Theatre Marae flair, bringing more songs, more action and more deeply important kōrero. The lower North Island tour kicks off on 19 June in Pōneke, opening the new Wellington City Council central city arts space at 3 Market Lane, before heading to more than 17 other venues.
 
The play features music by Rameka Tamaki (Out the Gate) and an ensemble of eight talented actors including Hariata Moriarty (Cousins, Whakapapa), Tamati Moriarty (After the Party), Mycah Keall (Waiora), Regan Taylor (Waiora, The Maori Sidesteps), Brooke Wharehinga, Matiu Rata, Rylee Herewini, and Ryan Holtham.

“I hangaia tēnei whakaari arā, ko Waenga, mā ngā rangatahi Māori kia kite ai i a rātou wheako i a rātou whakaaro hoki ki runga i te atamira.”
“The show Waenga was created so that rangatahi Māori could see their voices and their experiences told on the stage.” – say Hariata and Tamati Moriarty.
 
A sharply prescient story of systemic violence, racism and hope, which resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds, Waenga delves into the challenges of rangatahi Māori trying to change the system, from the outside and the inside.
 
The marae and the theatre are both communal sites for engagement. Director Jim Moriarty describes Theatre Marae as “essentially a hui – a gathering of people to share in a whole of life experience.” During the creation of Waenga, Hariata and Tamati worked extensively with high school students to help inform their characters’ journeys, ensuring the experiences depicted felt relevant, relatable and real.

A radio play of the production has been produced by Radio New Zealand, and will air on Culture101, and be available online, in June.

For this tour, Te Rākau are bringing Waenga not just to the theatre, but into marae, schools, community centres, universities and more, to ensure the work can be experienced by all.

“Waenga is a show that really speaks to Māori and all New Zealanders because it tackles real issues we’re facing together as a country." – Theatreview
 
 
WAENGA
Book tickets at www.eventfinda.co.nz/tours-festivals/2026/waenga

3 Market Lane, Arts Centre, Wellington City
19 June – 5 July

Aotea College, Porirua
7 – 9 July

Te Tūhunga Rau, Strathmore
14 July

Orongomai Marae, Upper Hutt
17 July

Wainuiomata Marae, Wainuiomata
18 July

Toitoi - Hawke's Bay Arts & Events Centre, Hastings
20 July

Waitara High School, Taranaki
28 July

Horowhenua College, Levin
31 July

Wairarapa Events Centre, Carterton
4 August
 
More dates coming soon is Pahiatua, Palmerston North, Feilding, Whanganui, Ōtaki, Paraparaumu, and Te Awa Kairangi.

For schools bookings contact:
[email protected] 

Mycah
Mycah Keall (Taranaki Tūturu) has worked predominantly in kaupapa Māori theatre for the last six years alongside companies Te Rākau Hua o te Wao Tapu, Tawata Productions, Kia Mau Festival and Taki Rua Productions. She has a Bachelor of Creativity from Te Auaha and has just completed a full year of full immersion Te Reo me ona Tikanga ki Te Wānanga o Raukawa. In 2021, she was awarded the Tungia Baker & Taki Rua Emerging Writers and Actors Scholarship. Mycah is dedicated to ensuring Māori voices, reo and pūrākau remain at the centre of her creative practice.
 
 
Brooke 
Brooke grew up in Te Whanganui-a-tara surrounded by the performing arts and developed a deep love for them. Waenga will be her fourth production with Te Rākau, and she has had the opportunity to work across many different roles within Te Rākau as both choreographer and performer, each experience building her confidence and sense of identity.

Anita Lowry (Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa , Ngāti Porou) is the Chief Executive of RespectEd Aotearoa, a charitable trust dedicated to an Aotearoa free from sexual violence and its harm. She has a background in union advocacy in pay equity and has contributed to kaupapa Māori and feminist organisations including Te Whare Rokiroki Māori Women’s Refuge and the Board of Wellington Rape Crisis.

Anita is recognised for her leadership in the prevention of sexual violence and building safer, more equitable communities across Aotearoa.

Paige Tapara is a New Zealand singer-songwriter and key team member at Play It Strange, a trust facilitating youth songwriting, where she works in marketing, operations, and mentorship. Known for her own pop success, she now helps run national songwriting competitions, judges projects, and mentors students in the music industry.

In recognition of May - Menstrual Awareness Month, join us for a conversation with Ragnar Anderson, Senior Research and Policy Advisor at Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa. Ragnar’s work and research explore sexuality, wellbeing, and parent-child communication around bodies, relationships, and reproductive health. Among other things, we chat about the Wheel of Fertility and the importance of early menstrual awareness, breaking stigma through education and open dialogue, and how communities can support healthier, more informed conversations about sex and reproductive wellbeing.

A few of our co-hosts interview some 2026 Newtown festival-goers!