Taki Rua Productions Announces Blockbuster 2026 Programme: 'Ake, Ake, Ake!'

Taki Rua Productions, the nation's premiere Māori theatre company, today unveiled its exhilarating 2026 programme, aptly titled 'Ake, Ake, Ake!' (Forever and Ever!). The season is a powerful statement on the future of Māori and Pasifika storytelling, featuring collaborations, a national tour, and two highly anticipated world premieres, spotlighting both emerging and acclaimed talent.

"Our 2026 season is a commitment to the enduring spirit and brilliance of our artists and their work," says Taki Rua Productions Chief Executive Craig Fransen. "‘Ake, Ake, Ake!’ is more than a programme; it's a movement that will take our stories to the heart of our communities, from the biggest stages to high school halls, ensuring our unique voices resonate across the motu."

World Premieres Showcase Acclaimed Talent

The cornerstone of the 2026 season are two major world premieres, each featuring artists with significant national profiles, particularly those celebrated for their screen work:

'Whakapapa' by Willy Craig Fransen (World Premiere): This new work will premiere at Circa Theatre, starring the formidable talent of Maaka Pohatu and Hariata Moriarty. Pohatu, an undeniable star of stage and screen, is widely recognised for his acclaimed roles in hits like 'Wellington Paranormal', 'The Breaker Upperers', and the international sensation 'Our Flag Means Death'. Alongside Moriarty, Pohatu’s return to the Taki Rua stage is set to be a major theatrical event.

'Kahukura Ao Lelei' by Renee Iosefa (World Premiere): This exciting new play will be taken directly to audiences across the South Island. It will be directed by the award-winning powerhouse Anapela Polataivao. Polataivao, a true icon of Pasifika theatre, has recently garnered critical praise for her dynamic roles in celebrated films and TV series, including’Tinā’, 'The Panthers' and 'Fresh Eggs'. Her vision will undoubtedly shape Iosefa's work into a must-see piece of theatre that will delight the whole whānau.

Touring Productions Bring Stories to the People

Building on past success and vital collaborations, two touring productions will bring Māori theatre to schools and communities nationwide:

'Rere Atu Taku Poi' (North Island Tour): Following its incredibly successful tour in 2025, Taki Rua will mount a North Island tour of this captivating production, reinforcing the company's commitment to accessibility and reaching audiences in every corner of Aotearoa. This show by Bea Joblin and based on the book by Tangaroa Paul was acclaimed by audiences in 2025 as a show that had ‘excellent production qualities, a story with real meaning and heart, actors that uplift and care for their audience, and it is a show that is accessible for people who might not go to the theatre.’

'Waenga' (High School Tour): In collaboration with Hurō Productions, Taki Rua will take the impactful production 'Waenga' to high schools across Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. This vital tour continues the tradition of using theatre to engage rangatahi (youth) in meaningful and culturally significant discussions.

Taki Rua Productions invites audiences, media, and supporters to join them in celebrating the 'Ake, Ake, Ake!' programme- a dynamic, star-studded season that promises to be one of the most significant years for Māori and Pasifika theatre.

About Taki Rua Productions

Taki Rua Productions is the longest-running and pre-eminent professional Māori theatre company in Aotearoa New Zealand. For over four decades, Taki Rua has been at the forefront of developing, producing, and touring dynamic, world-class theatre that shares Māori stories and language with the world.

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