World Premiere Of WET By Tūī Matelau To Shine A Light On Pleasure, Power, And Modern Māori Māmāhood

(Tāmaki Makaurau, Wednesday 26 November, 2025) - A bold, award-winning new play about pleasure, power, and the politics of being heard is set to premiere at Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival 2026 in partnership with Auckland Live. WET, by acclaimed Māori and Pacific playwright Tūī Matelau, runs for ten shows only from 5 - 15 March at Te Pou Theatre.

Fierce, funny, and honest, WET follows Aroha - Māmā, divorcee, loyal friend and undercover successful ‘cliterature’ author. Aroha writes for her own pleasure - literally. Her erotic fiction has built a loyal online following, but when she dares to advance her “cliterature” into a podcast, the backlash from those closest to her is swift and brutal. As her stories ignite desire in fans and outrage in her family, Aroha must navigate shame, sisterhood, and the fight for her voice - on and off the page.

Aroha is brought to life by award-winning actor Bronwyn Turei (Ngāti Porou). Bronwyn’s relationship with Te Pou Theatre first kicked off with the premiere of Raising the Titanics and reignited with Hemo is Home. She has worked with ATC in Little Shop of Horrors and Circa Theatre’s The Pink Hammer. Her on screen credits include Go Girls, Brokenwood Mysteries, and most recently Ahikāroa.

“From the very first read of this play, I knew it was something special. It crackled off the page. It draws you in with so much relatable depth, connection, humour and humanity. Not to mention the naughty bits. I can’t wait to help bring this kaupapa to life.” Bronwyn Turei says of WET.

Performing alongside Bronwyn is Harmony Day, a rising actor and musician with a passion for storytelling. Paul Fagamalo joins the cast as Fetu. Paul is a performing artist with over twenty years’ experience within the Arts industry across Aotearoa and the world, with a career that has included producing, directing, singing, dancing and acting, both on the stage and screen. Rounding up the cast is Xavier Horan (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Pikiāo). Xavier, known for his commanding on-screen presence and ability to bring both humour and depth to his performances, has become a familiar face across Aotearoa’s film and television landscape. Across his body of work, Xavier has remained deeply connected to stories that honour whakapapa and Māori perspectives, using his platform to help re-centre Māori voices.

WET will be directed by Amber Curreen (Ngāpuhi, Te Roroa, Te Rarawa), a Kaupapa Māori centred theatre maker based in Tāmaki Makaurau. A co-founder of Te Pou Theatre, leader of Te Rēhia Theatre Company, and festival director of Kōanga Festival, Amber has been developing and presenting professional theatre since 2010. Her recent directing credits include KŌPŪ (2023 - 2025) and The Handlers (2024). As the Kōanga Festival Artistic Director for over a decade, Amber has worked closely with creatives to develop stories centred on strong wahine Māori, championing the contemporary voices, perspectives and experiences on stage.

“I’m so excited to bring this story to the stage, especially after the initial playreading where the whole audience was sharing in laughter and knowing sighs - I can’t wait to share that with audiences in this year's festival. Tūī is a wonderful debut writer. WET is witty, sharp and a deeply relatable examination of modern adult relationships - and very naughty. Lessshgo!” Amber Curreen, WET director and founding leader of Te Pou Theatre, Auckland’s Māori home for theatre.

WET was initially selected for development and a public playreading at the 2024 Kōanga Festival, and also featured in Playmarket’s 2024 Brown Ink development program. In 2025, the play won Best Play by a Pasifika Playwright at the Playmarket Adam NZ Play Awards.

Tūī Matelau (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa, Fo‘ui – Tonga, Pākehā) is a Māori and Pacific playwright whose work has been celebrated for its bold, unapologetic voice. Tūī’s writing audaciously explores identity, culture, and representation for Māori and Pacific peoples in Aotearoa. She holds a PhD from Auckland University of Technology (AUT), where she is a lecturer and Kaiwhakatere in the School of Communication Studies. Tūī’s work is known for its fearless honesty, cultural depth, and commitment to amplifying marginalised voices—whether on stage, screen, or in the classroom.

In 2026 WET runs as part of Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival, the 18-day annual festival is a city-wide celebration of creativity and connection. Audiences will encounter powerful storytelling, spectacular performance, and joyful moments that celebrate the best of Aotearoa and the world.

WET
5-15 MARCH, 2026
TE POU THEATRE, TĀMAKI MAKAURAU

Early Bird tickets are available from now until Saturday 9 November, from $33.
Full details and tickets at www.tepoutheatre.nz

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