- VENUE
Home, Land and Sea
Home, Land and Sea is a bold and expansive programme that explores identity, transformation, and the meaning of home. For the first time, the Royal New Zealand Ballet joined forces with The New Zealand Dance Company in a major co-production that toured Pōneke, Tāmaki Makaurau and Ōtautahi across July and August 2025.
At the heart of the programme was the world premiere of Home, Land & Sea, choreographed by NZDC Artistic Director Moss Te Ururangi Patterson (Ngāti Tūwharetoa), with a new score composed by legendary musician Shayne P Carter (Ngāti Tūwharetoa). This powerful collaboration brought together twelve dancers - six from each company - in a poetic and physically charged response to Aotearoa’s complex history, evolving identity, and ongoing search for belonging.
Moss’s work was a vibrant tapestry that wove together the cultural heritage of Aotearoa with the historical echoes of Cook’s Endeavour voyages. Drawing on early European perceptions of this land, he integrated the haunting sounds of taonga pūoro - traditional Māori instruments—into a contemporary choreographic and musical world. The result was a work that invited reflection, challenged assumptions, and opened space for deeper conversations about unity, difference, and the long tail of history.
Read more"…a powerful collaboration with a real passion for Home, Land and Sea…"
Theatreview
2025 Premiere
Wellington
St James Theatre
24 - 27 July
Auckland
Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre
Aotea Centre
31 July - 2 August
Christchurch
Theatre Royal
8 - 9 August
Reviews
“The power of haka and the poetry of ballet are complementary and it’s Patterson’s and Carter’s shared triumph to have presented a template for mutual exchange, not confrontation or competition.”
Jennifer Shennan, Michelle Potter on Dancing
"It’s a delight to see the interplay between young contemporary artists and seasoned practitioners. The invention at play is a testament to the training of these contemporary movers whilst the classical dancers relish this gutsy somatic realm. Ka rawe!"
The Post
“This is a remarkable co-production… Both company directors deserve kudos for instigating partnerships and collaborations as they reach for kotahitanga.”
Lyne Pringle, The Post
“…a powerful collaboration with a real passion for Home, Land and Sea…”
Deirdre Tarrant, Theatreview
Creative Team
Choreographer
Moss Te Ururangi Patterson
Composer
Shayne Carter
Lighting Designer
Jon Buswell
Costume Designer
Donna Jefferies
