An intimate evening of play readings, celebrating the development of new works by Māori playwrights at Kōanga Festival 2024. The Kōanga Playwrights Programme is the beating heart of the festival. In this special play-reading event, audiences are invited to hear brand new plays read publicly for the first time following a week of workshopping with top Māori performing arts creatives.

THE ĀTAAHUA STORE nā Turene Jones

It’s closing time at the Ātaahua Store, the night before Matariki. Everyone's out celebrating... everyone except Ruia, Cayleigh, and Gabby, who are stuck at work with their manager, Blake, biding their time until they can leave and join in the festivities. Their plans are dashed when some of Hine-ingoingo's carnivorous children escape from their prison. Vicious beasts roaming the streets isn’t an uncommon occurrence, so the area goes into lockdown. Annoyed more than fearful, Blake triggers the store's shields which malfunction. The workers must scramble together a makeshift barricade and survive each other's company until the authorities clear the area of the deadly creatures.


MARMITE & HONEY nā Rainton Oneroa

Set at a tangi over the course of 24 hours, we see each of the characters' relationships tested. Growing up and attending tangi, we are exposed to how we all deal with death differently. How young men shield themselves with humour, while aunties keep themselves busy to provide for the grieving, and postpone their own grief. Kids playing rugby, not realising the significance of the moment until the last minute. Uncles hunting, fishing, playing cards - anything but talking about it. This play is a commentary on how generational trauma affects us today, encouraging an open dialogue around a notoriously taboo subject.