MATARIKI FOR
TAMARIKI

NZDC has a mission to bring high-calibre contemporary dance performances to schools across the beautiful Tāmaki Makaurau region. Since 2016, the Company has engaged students with exciting and magical by commissions by diverse choreographers. Students and teachers alike love and find inspiration from our high energy programme every year.

Bookings for Tāmaki Tour are open for primary, intermediate and secondary schools in the greater Auckland region for dates across June. Q&As, and/or a workshop also available.

For enquiries, email NZDC at [email protected], or call +64 9 378 7361.

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.