WHENUA

The New Zealand Dance Company (NZDC) presents WHENUA, — a captivating double bill, showcasing unique creative voices from Aotearoa New Zealand. Direct from sold-out performances across Europe, WHENUA returns home, poised to awaken our imaginations and vibrate our senses.

In ‘Imprint’, renowned choreographer Malia Johnston (Movement Of The Human) has created a bold new work in collaboration with celebrated indigenous artist Rodney Bell (Ngāti Maniapoto). They present mahi that explores our relationships with each other, the etchings of our collective experience and how our shared impressions feed into place. ‘Imprint’ thoughtfully engages the twin talents of sound designer Eden Mulholland and digital designer Rowan Pierce — who deliver an organic canvas that amplifies the diverse kinetic performance response. ‘Imprint’s’ bravely emotive foundation is balanced with an enchanting landscape that collectively presents exquisite and daring stagecraft.

Alongside ‘Imprint’, Eddie Elliott’s (Ngāti Maniapoto) 'Uku - Behind the Canvas', makes for a triumphant return following rave reviews in 2022.

Elliott’s strong voice for tangata whenua is expressed through confronting storytelling at its most raw. Using elements rooted in Te Ao Māori and kapa haka, Elliott’s vision is alive with cultural heritage and visceral personal experiences transmitted authentically and deeply through his movement vocabulary.

WHENUA is courageous choreography from Aotearoa’s national contemporary dance company. Its exuberance in exploring our relationship with land is matched by an unbridled physicality that weaves together stories of our shared humanity alongside our sense of place.