From the creative minds of young people of Porirua City and curated by Lemi Ponifasio, the NZ Festival of the Arts is excited to bring you Te Ata, hosted by Porirua City.

Te Ata brings together artists from Aotearoa and around the world in exchange with young New Zealanders who wish to take a bold, brave and active role in shaping the culture of the place in which they live.

There are four ways you can be involved:

• participating in a development programme
• by attending a one-off workshop session
• interning with us
• hosting as a volunteer

You can register for any, or all of these opportunities by filling out this form.

Dance Programme Aloalii Tapu, Ooshcon Masseurs and Te Rau Oriwa Mitchell

A five-day exploration of contemporary movement.

Bringing challenge and vibrancy to their work, choreographers and dancers Aloalii, Ooshcon and Te Rau Oriwa lead this workshop exploring the fusion of heritage, urban, and New Zealand and European contemporary dance forms to find each students' identity as a dancer. How can you share your voice through your body? And what movement styles capture the essence of who you are?

Who can apply: Interested young people between the ages of 16-24. A level of dance experience is a requirement for this programme.

Pātaka Dance Studio / 17 - 21 Feb 2020 / 10am - 3pm

Te Rauparaha Arena / 22 Feb 2020 / 11am - 12:30pm

Ahu Taiohi Te Aho Tū Roa

A five-day Māori Youth Development Programme.

Kia whai hononga: tātou ki a tātou, tātou ki ngā mātua tūpuna, tātou ki taiao e! In this exploration of life, leadership and tikanga through ngā mahi ā rēhia, grounded in a Kaupapa Māori framework, rangatahi are taken on a journey each day reconnecting us with takiwā, our inner selves and our physical environment, and the continued development of our creative voice. Forms will include Kapa Haka and contemporary Māori Performing Arts.

Who can apply: Interested young people between the ages of 15-18 who are of Māori descent.

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa / 24 - 28 Feb 2020 / All day (time varies) 

Te Rauparaha Arena / 29 Feb / 12pm

Our Revolution Neo Muyanga

A seven-day choral programme led by South African composer Neo Muyanga.

Through the knowledge and artistic support of Neo, students will investigate the role protest music has played across the globe and create their own freedom song. Aotearoa's songs of protest will also be explored, provoking us to explore what we want to say today, both to ourselves and to others.

Who can apply: Interested young people. A level of singing/music experience is a requirement for this programme.

Te Rauparaha Arena / 22 Feb 2020 / 11am - 12:30pm

Whitireia / 18 - 28 Feb 2020 / 4pm - 7pm

Te Rauparaha Arena / 29 Feb 2020 / 12pm

Teater Ruang (Sun 23 Feb)

In Solo (Surakarta), Indonesia, there is an artist who is colouring the world of international theatre and dance: Helmi Prasetyo.

Helmi, a long-standing collaborator of Lemi Ponifasio (MAU) and a member of theatre company Teater Ruang, will travel to New Zealand as part of Te Ata’s development and public programmes.

Helmi brings to Te Ata his specialised methodology of movement, known only to Helmi and those he has taught. This exploration of motion comes from a life-long commitment to the seriousness of art; the discipline, intensity and loyalty that underpin the work of Teater Ruang.

Helmi's movement has been seen within both theatre and film, including his work within Tempest: Without a Body, Le Savali, and I Am, directed by Lemi Ponifasio.

Pātaka Dance Studio, 9am - 10:30am

For ages 14+

FLEXN Masterclass (Sun 23 Feb)

The FLEXN Masterclass is an opportunity for young talent to experience the dancers' creative process by creating, notating and sequencing dance moves to communicate a story. The Masterclass is targeted at young people with some experience in dance and movement who are wanting to further investigate their own creative process.

Pātaka Dance Studio, 11:30am - 1pm

For ages 14+

FLEXN Student Summit (Mon 24 Feb)

In conversation with each other and the dance-activists of FLEXN, we will explore how the arts can bring visibility to issues important to us, provide a safe space for discussion and debate, and support change. 

Te Rauparaha Arena, time tbc

For ages 14+

Don't miss out on our artist talk with Kara Jackson + Coco Solid (Sun 23 Feb)

No registration required!

Pātaka Dance Studio, 2:30pm

Thank you!

If you have registered your interest in the development programme, an application form will be sent to your email address.

If you have registered for the free workshops, we will send you a confirmation email along with all the details.

If you have shown interest in being an intern or a volunteer, we will send you some more information soon! All places are subject to availability.

If you have any questions, contact us at te-ata@festival.nz