KŌPŪ - The Ground-Breaking Production, Opens At The Court Theatre Next Month

Hairy nipples, haka, and heart — the wāhine of KŌPŪ set to say it like it is! Don’t miss this ground-breaking theatrical celebration of wāhine

The Court Theatre – Stewart Family Theatre / 16 – 26 July

Exploding onto the stage next month at The Court Theatre, KŌPŪ is the fierce, funny, and unapologetically powerful theatre event that celebrates the full spectrum of wāhinetanga — the essence of being a woman.

Written by Tuakoi Ohia and directed by Amber Curreen, KŌPŪ is a ground-breaking theatrical experience that fuses live music, waiata, poi, poetry, and raw storytelling into a vivid series of vignettes.

This riotous and heartfelt production honours the voices, experiences, and mana of Māori women — from our nannies to our nieces. Premiered in 2023 at Te Pou Theatre, KŌPŪ was born in response to mainstream media coverage of comments made by MP Judith Collins regarding women speaking on the marae — and a desire to see wāhine Māori narratives reclaimed and voiced loudly, proudly, and creatively.

“We wanted to ask the question — who gets to speak on our behalf? Why aren’t wāhine Māori voices taking precedence?” says director Amber Curreen.

Featuring a powerhouse cast of six wāhine Māori performers — Tuakoi Ohia, Jane Leonard, Brady Peeti, Te Huamanuka Luiten-Apirana, Te Ohorere Williams, and Te Arohanui Korewha — KŌPŪ is fearless, joyous, and unfiltered. From cheeky kōrero straight from the bedroom to soaring musical moments and stories that cut to the bone, this is theatre that sings, laughs, and demands to be heard.

Award-winning whakawahine actor Brady Peeti reflects on her role: “We will empower wāhine Māori voices by being visible, being loud, telling the truth — even if it makes people uncomfortable.”

KŌPŪ is more than a show — it’s a reclamation of space, language, and storytelling. With sold-out seasons behind it and a growing national following, this is your chance to witness one of Aotearoa’s most vital and exhilarating new works live in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

© Scoop Media