- VENUE
MATARIKI FOR
TAMARIKI
Ngā Tamariki o Ngā Mata Ariki
Sean MacDonald
Matariki for Tamariki is a whānau friendly work in celebration of ritual and renewal.
Accomplished New Zealand dancer and choreographer, 2023 Arts Laureate Sean MacDonald (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa) brings to life a group of friends who journey throughout Aotearoa during the Matariki season – an annual custom that honours ongoing relationships to place and each other.
This band of players discovers the landscape of lush ngahere (forests), mighty maunga (mountains), and majestic moana (oceans), while encountering flora and fauna through the seasonal change.
Along the way, the wairua (spirit) of each of the nine whetū (stars) of Matariki also inhabit the performers, who through their adventures use the power and meaning of karakia (prayer), waiata (song) and whakapapa (lineage) to reflect and plant the seeds of new beginnings generating fun and hope for the future ahead.
Sean’s majestic choreography in Matariki for Tamariki paired with evocative costume and set design by Rona Ngahuia Osborne and spectacular sound design by Alistair Deverick, will leave kids and “kidaults” alike filled with joy and gratitude for the whenua (land) we call home.
"A MATARIKI JOURNEY THROUGH STARS,
SEA, MOUNTAINS AND MOON FOR THE
WHOLE WHĀNAU."
REVIEWS
"...the calibre of dancing and performance is through the roof."
Carrie Rae Cunningham
Theatreview
"Joyous, celebratory and sophisticated."
Carrie Rae Cunningham
Theatreview
"It was crazy AND funny. I liked how it was serious and calm and then would get loud and silly."
9-Year old
Theatreview
“Filling the Bruce Mason Centre with joy, laughter, and intrigue”
Rebekkah Schoonbeek
Up Your Arts
CREATIVE TEAM
Choreographer
Sean MacDonald
Costume & Set Designer
Rona Naghuia Osborne
Sound Designer
Alistair Deverick
Narration
Kimoro Taipei (Tūhoe, Tainui)
Amber Curreen (Ngāpuhi)
Narration & Pao Composition
Tina Kaiawe (Tainui, Ngāti Te Ata, Ngāti Māhanga, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tamaoho)
2022 Performers
Carl Tolentino
Chrissy Kokiri
Ngarae Jenkins
Chris Mills
Toa Paranihi
Kiki Miwa
2020 Performers
Carl Tolentino
Chrissy Kokiri
Eddie Elliott
Elijah Kennar
Katie Rudd
Ngarae Jenkins
2019 Performers
Carl Tolentino
Chrissy Kokiri
Eddie Elliott
Katie Rudd
Ngaere Jenkins
Taniora Motutere
Tāmaki Outreach Programme Project Manager 2019
Noma Sio-Faiumu
Pasifika Ambassador 2019
Raisedinland Iose
Māori Ambassador 2019
Kimoro Taiepa
Korean Community Ambassador 2019
Suh Lee
Chinese Community Ambassador 2019
Yuanyong Yang (YY)
2019 Winter School Participants (Māngere Arts Centre)
Benjamin Maka
Chrysela-Julia Safole
David Maka
Ishita DwivediJasmine Vaine
Keila Kaipo-Unuwai
Kristin Williams
Nevaeh Morynna Ofisa
Te Atarangi Richards
Tienete O'Connor
2019 Winter School Participants (Bruce Mason Centre)
Amy Fox
Caleb Hartnell
Gemma Dowd
Isabella Griffin
Jessica Blake
Joshua Edwards
Lilly Raukawa
Mairano Raukawa
Min Anh Tran
Nicole Aley
Olivia Waters
Samantha Grace
Stella Grace Seawright
Sybella Howard
