Written and performed by James Wenley

1 in 10 New Zealanders live alone. James is one of them. So is his Mum, for the first time ever. Performed at James’ apartment, a show for when you feel lonely returns for TAHI, after a sold-out NZ Fringe season. Described by audiences as a thought provoking and beautiful performance, James welcomes you to his home to share tea and explore his relationship to loneliness, the challenges and possibilities of platonic connection, and the wisdom we can learn from whales. Join James for a poignant and uplifting story about living true to yourself.

"Thanks for making me feel a little less lonely.” - Audience guestbook

Creative team
Performer / Writer: James Wenley (he/him)

Created by Īhaka Martyn. Play read by Kaisa Fa'atui.

Tired of having no room for self love? Maybe burning 50kgs in 50 minutes will change that. 

Join our inspiring fitness guru as he shows the audience how to shed your ego and excess fat. By utilising the power of manifestation, you too can change your pathetic little impulses. In fact, when was the last time you went to the gym? Maybe you should just skip this show and hit the treadmill instead, yeah? 

Filled with self-helpless tips, banging tunes and kōrero hōhonu, this playreading will dissect the fraught relationships we have with our tinana, and where those nasty thoughts are really coming from.

Creative team
Writer: Īhaka Martyn - Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa
Performer: Kaisa Fa'atui

About Īhaka
Īhaka is an award-winning playwright, recently premiering a sold-out season of The Aotearoans at Kia Mau Festival. Īhaka has a BA in Music and Theatre from Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou University of Otago and a Masters in Scriptwriting from the International Institute of Modern Letters, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. He has worked as an actor, director, and playwright with Allen Hall Theatre, Ōtepoti Theatre Lab, and Arcade Theatre Company.

Written and performed by Chloe Bettina

This show was created as part of the TAHI Creative Residency programme, in partnership with Creative NZ, BATS Theatre, and with support from Auckland Theatre Company.

Part love letter, part exposé, Chloe’s Revenge is a musical theatre-inspired show that pulls back the curtain on the pro-am musical theatre “industry” in Aotearoa. With biting wit, Chloe lays bare the heartbreak of rejection from the world she adores, and turns that pain into power. This is a story of survival, self-discovery, and the ultimate comeback: becoming the best version of yourself when the system says you don’t belong. You don't have to be a "musical theatre person" to enjoy this show. In fact, it's better if you're not.

Creative Team
Performer / Writer: Chloe Bettina (she/her)
Dramaturg: James Wenley (he/him)
Music Production Mentor: Nadia Freeman (she/her)
Lighting Designer / Operator: Mitch Sigley (he/him)
Development show director: Queenie Samuel (she/her)
Music / sound director: Connor Magatogia (he/him)
Production manager: Kalia Regan (she/her)

About Chloe
Chloe is a theatre baby who grew up watching an abundance of Filipino excellence on stage and screen: from Lea Salonga to Vanessa Hudgens, Darren Criss and Eva Noblezada, to name a few. You can imagine her surprise when the pathway to follow in the footsteps of these greats seemed to be obstructed in Aotearoa. She's spent most of her life so far revolving in and out of stage doors, trying to forge this path for herself. Her current multi-hyphenate career description is "Actor - Stage Manager - Vocal Coach - Artist". But check back in a few years when she'll unabashedly add "Director - Writer" on there too!

Written and performed by Raureti Ormond

This show was created as part of the TAHI Creative Residency programme, in partnership with Creative NZ and Taki Rua Productions.

Grass Roots is a heartfelt and charming musical about the colossal culture of rugby. From club fields to Eden Park, a queer boy embarks on an epic odyssey through the New Zealand Rugby ages. Join him in this historical exploration of takatāpuitanga, masculinity, fatherhood, and what it means to grow up in Aotearoa. Created for rangatahi and whānau, this powerful story speaks to all generations.

Creative Team
Performer / Writer: Raureti Ormond (he/him) - Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Designer: Scott Maxim (he/him) - Tangata Tiriti
Set and Lighting Designer: Scott Maxim (he/him)
AV Designer: Grace O'Brien (she/her)

About Raureti
Raureti Ormond (Ngāti Tūwharetoa) is a musical theatre artist and storyteller descended from the waters of Waihāhā and Whanganui Bay. A graduate of Te Auaha with a Bachelor’s in Musical Theatre, Raureti has performed in major productions including Wicked, Les Misérables, and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. He is also known as ‘Pania’ in the award-winning drag rōpū, The Tīwhas. Passionate about telling stories that fuse musical theatre, history, and māoritanga, Raureti was nominated for Most Promising Emerging Artist for his debut show Hāpaitia at the 2024 NZ Fringe, and recently premiered his first full-length original musical He Ingoa at Kia Mau Festival.

Created and performed by: Leia Edmonds, Waikamania Seve, Gabriel Murphy, Aroha Morrison, Charlie Roigard, and George Long.

TAHI Festival’s student showcase, HATCH, champions our next generation of solo performers. In partnership with Te Auaha, Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School, and Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, HATCH supports students through workshops, mentorship, and creative development, culminating in a high-energy showcase at BATS Theatre.

Cursed Child: The return of Mr Haki
Written and performed by Leia Edmonds

Mr Haki is Leia’s childhood imaginary friend. He returns from the grave to confront her about his death. Cursed Child: The return of Mr Haki is a funny, slightly creepy, and nostalgic tale about the mind of a strange little girl. 

Leia is a theatre student at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

HĀNGĪ PANTS
Written and performed by Waikamania Seve

It's 9:04pm, a Saturday like any other. Scandaleyes smeared on, soju burning sweet, cherry pomegranate nicotine clouding the air. K Road’s about to come alive, but Hāngī Pants is already unpacking the mess. Her lovers, her losses, her lust.

Waikamania is an up-and-coming Indigenous actor, singer, orator and dancer, currently studying at Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School.

Warm Night At Normal School
Written and performed by Gabriel Murphy

Gabriel missions across the sticky floors and strobe lights of the school disco to ask the girl he likes to dance with him. But it’s not as easy as it sounds.

Gabriel Murphy is a third year university student at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, where he is studying philosophy and theatre.

Enter: Child
Written and performed by Aroha Morrison

Wide-eyed, happy to be there, and - well - utterly clueless. Child leads with curiosity - will you follow?

Aroha Morrison (she/they) is an emerging creative practitioner in her final year of study for a Bachelor of Creativity in Performing Arts.

The Ring
Written and performed by Charlie Roigard.

Step into the world of hype, heart, and headlocks in The Ring — a raw and entertaining solo performance by Charlie Roigard. Blending parody wrestling theatrics with deeply personal truth. Whether you're ringside or back row, this is more than a fight, it's a movement: "They will never understand what it means to live your passion until they’ve stepped into your ring. Where you've become the champion."

Charlie is studying Theatre at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Lost Memory
Written and performed by George Long

A man is trying to tell the story of meeting someone really important. But unfortunately life changes over time.

George is second year student at Toi Whakaari. George has been after since age 9, doing lessons at the Court Theatre in Christchurch, and community theatre.

Created and performed by Sameena Zehra

The profits from this show went to help Palestine via Aotearoa based charities, including Justice for Palestine Koha4Gaza and Gaza Water Relief.

Three haunted sock puppets leading government. Shit-for-brains liberals peddling ‘both sides’ fucknuggetry as the people march for peace and their governments pour gasoline on fire. And wt actual f is a ‘lesser’ evil? Sameena Zehra is back to explore whether it's time to dust off your guillotines (even for a pacifist, it’s definitely time) with dark comedy & delicious storytelling that will make you gasp and guffaw as you channel your inner homicidal pacifist to pen a culling list of your own.

Following a sold out season at NZ International Comedy Festival earlier this year, Sameena is bringing this show back for one night only during TAHI festival as part of TAHI Encores season.

“As a piece of political theatre, this is one of the more entertaining and potentially moving with a flair for the dramatic... a remarkable raconteur with amazing stories to tell…” - Nicholas Holm, The Post 

CREATIVE TEAM
Performer / Writer: Sameena Zehra (she/her)

About Sameena
Sameena Zehra is an award-winning comedian, storyteller, actor, writer, director, and blues musician known for her razor-sharp political satire and dark, absurdist humour. An intersectional feminist and humanist, her work delves into the personal and political, blending wit with powerful social commentary. Originally from India and the UK, Sameena has performed internationally with the Royal Shakespeare Company and at the National Theatre, as well as touring her acclaimed solo shows to major festivals including Edinburgh Fringe, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and NZ Fringe, where she won Outstanding Performer in 2017. Most recently, she was nominated for Outstanding Performer at the Wellington Theatre Awards for her critically acclaimed show Tea with Terrorists which toured festivals around the motu in 2022/23.

Created and performed by Mamaeroa (Mo) Munn

An oversharer with a splash of OCD, comedian, improviser and playwright Mo Munn was once called “unhinged” by a reviewer - and now she’s made it her whole personality! In her first solo hour, Mo squishes stand up, experimental and improvised comedy together for a rapid-fire whiplash of a show! Think one woman comedy buffet, packed with chaotic jokes, outlandish stories and a touch of spectacle. Fresh from debuting at the NZ International Comedy Fest, and taking home two comedy awards, Is it off? will keep audiences on their toes, delivering a comedy experience more hectic than a high school rave.

“… her show goes off in a very good way. It deserves to travel far and wide, as long as the oven is up for that." - John Smythe, Theatreview

" She jabs and slices at her audience and draws laughs instead of blood.... Thematically it's perfect" - Wellyott

Creative team
Performer / Writer: Mamaeroa (Mo) Munn - Ngai Tahu, Nga Puhi, Ngati Hine
Tech: Quentin Potts (he/him) - Ngati Kahungunu
Production team: Quentin Potts (he/him) - Ngati Kahungunu, Aroha Faletolu (she/her) - Nga Puhi, and Ralph Hilaga (he/him)

About Mo
Mo is a stand-up comedian, improvisor and playwright based in Wellington. She recently won Best Newcomer at the 2025 NZ International Comedy Festival for Is it off?. Mo has been improvising for over eight years, having trained in Wellington, London, and Chicago, and is a regular on the Wellington professional stand-up comedy shows. Mo has performed in, produced, and directed a range of improvised, experimental, and sketch comedy shows and performs regularly around Wellington. She won Best Newcomer at the Wellington Comedy Awards 2023.

Created and performed by Eliza Sanders

You decide the ending…

Manage Your Expectations pushes the concept of the trigger warning to absurdist extremes, using humour to question how ‘informed’ consent can really be. And how much we actually want to know. Created by multi-award winning Eliza Sanders, this high-energy, genre-blending work (part dance, part clown, part absurd philosophising) explores the limits of language, the influence of context, and our failure to say what we really mean. 

“Clever, witty, evocative, subversive, immersive, despairing, poignant, personal and universal” – Deirdre Tarrant, Theatreview

CREATIVE TEAM
Performer / Writer: Eliza Sanders (she/her)
Director: Charley Allanah (she/her)
Cinematographer: Daniel Nodder (they/them)
Lighting Designer: Deb McGuire (she/her)
Technical Operator: Niamh Campbell-Ward (she/her)
Video Designers: Jack Sullivan (he/him) and Alec Katsourakis (he/him)
Composer: Jazmine Mary (she/her)
Producer: Fay Van Der Meulen (she/her)

About Eliza
Eliza Sanders is a multidisciplinary movement artist based in Pōneke. Her works span from durational performance art to meditative poetry podcasts, but mainly creates dance theatre works with an integrated use of improvisation and voice. She is passionate about integrating education in all of her practices and is a certified Countertechnique and Yoga teacher. Eliza is the co-artistic director of contemporary performance company House of Sand. She has worked on projects for QL2 Dance, NZSD, Footnote Dance, KHSD, Java Dance Theatre, NZDC, The Australian Dance Party, WoW, and many more.

Created and performed by Jackson Burling

"NEVER become a truck driver!" - A young Jackson Burling took that advice, avoiding the fork in the road, but now, after a long and gruelling two year slog in the arts industry he must confront that age old question: "why not, Dad?" - and take us along for the ride. In Over and Out, premiering at the 2025 TAHI Festival, Burling brings a real interview, a big character, and even bigger questions to the stage. One actor. 50 minutes. Countless emotional potholes. Along the way, we get a rare look into the gritty, heartfelt, and often-overlooked life of one of Aotearoa’s essential workers: the truck driver. Is the open road calling — or is the stage his true destination? Buckle up. This is verbatim theatre with serious mileage.

Creative Team
Actor & Writer: Jackson Burling (he/him)
Director: Simon Leary (he/him)
Producer & Production Manager: Tom Smith (he/him)
Set & Projection Designer: Rebekah de Roo (she/her)
Lighting Designer: Jacob Banks (he/him)
Sound Designer: Oliver Devlin (he/him)
Graphic Designer: Mikayla Strahorn (she/her)
Publicist: Jules McDonald (she/they)
Photographer: Ava O'Brien (she/her)
Operator: Ethan Cranefield (he/him)

About Jackson
Jackson Burling is a 23-year-old performer and theatre-maker based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. A graduate of Te Auaha, he’s already making bold strides in Aotearoa’s theatre scene, with professional stage and screen credits, and a passion for spotlighting overlooked stories. His debut solo show CAUTION WET FLOOR earned him Most Promising Newcomer nominations at the 2023 NZ Fringe and Wellington Theatre Awards.

Co-written by Tainui Tukiwaho & Te Wehi Ratana
Performed by Ngahiriwa Rauhina

This uplifting one-man play is inspired by true events and shares the remarkable experience of Te Wehi Ratana’s time in Rimutaka Prison. Part courtroom drama, part prison diary, part absurdist kōrero, people can expect a playful and provocative theatrical experience that questions what we hold to be true. 'Family Guy' meets Māori Theatre, is it genius or ridiculous? You'll need to see it to decide…

“He’s charming, funny, serious when he needs to be, and he tells the complex story with clarity and honesty.” - Lexie Matheson, Theatreview 

Creative team
Performer: Ngahiriwa Rauhina (he/him) - Ngāti Whakaue, Tūhourangi Ngāti, Wahiao, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Raukawa
Stage Manager & Off Stage Voice Actor: Roy Iro (he/him) - Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Manahiki, Rakahanga, Tongareva
Co-writer & Director: Tainui Tukiwaho (he/him) - Tūhoe, Te Arawa Whakatōhea, Tūwharetoa, Kai Tahu
Co-writer: Te Wehi Ratana (he/him) - Ngāti Raukawa, Te Arawa
Sound Designer: Connor Magatogia (he/tim) - Cook Island & Niuean
Set & Costume Designer & Props: Nicole Marsh (she/her) - Ngati Kahungunu, Rangitane, Guangzhou China
AV Support: Bekky Boyce (they/them)
Lighting/AV Designer & Production Manager: Jane Hakaraia (she/her) - Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga
Operator: Marshall Rankin

Ngahiriwa was raised in the baths of Whakarewarewa under the gaze of Tarawera Maunga, with his Te Arawa heritage instilling a natural connection to the performing arts. For over two decades, he has been an actor, honing his craft and working alongside some of Aotearoa’s most influential storytellers—those who have paved the way for him to follow. Inspired by their guidance, Ngahiriwa is now expanding his creative journey into directing, writing, producing, and more, seeking to create space for others in the industry. As a performing artist and passionate advocate for Te Ao Māori, Ngahiriwa embodies his cultural roots in every aspect of his work. Above all, he is a devoted father and partner, grateful for the life and opportunities he has been given.

Created by Stephen Papps and Damon Andrews. Performed by Stephen Papps

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks... can you? Biting satire and theatre wizardry fuse in a comically inventive roller-coaster about the fear of irrelevance and the healing power of an animal. Award-winning actor, writer, and solo performer, Stephen Papps, plays twelve characters with beguiling virtuosity, in this gloriously funny solo tour de force about a man who loses face in a desperate attempt to regain his relevance.

“It’s impressive for a performer to embody a big range of characters ... well-written and full of humorous insights and revelations ... glorious!” – Cate Prestige, Theatreview.

Creative Team
Performer / Writer: Stephen Papps

Director / Writer: Damon Andrews

Tech: Jack Tankersley

Photographer: Meek Zuiderwyk

Social media: John Simmons

About Stephen
Stephen Papps is a celebrated actor with over 35 years’ experience across stage, screen, and solo performance. He won Best Actor at the NZ Film Awards for his role in End of the Golden Weather, and has performed internationally with his critically acclaimed solo show Blowing It, including seasons at the Edinburgh Festival and Sydney Opera House. Stephen has worked with leading NZ theatres, and is known for roles in Shortland Street, Xena, Spartacus, and Fresh Eggs. Social Animal is his fourth self-written solo work.

Created and performed by Kristyl Neho

angihanga is a solo drama-comedy centred around Jess - a devoted daughter whose father, Karanipa, has passed away. As Jess’ whānau gathers at the marae to mourn, tensions rise, secrets are revealed, and long-held family dynamics begin to unravel. Neho masterfully embodies over 30 characters, capturing the complexity of grief, cultural identity, and the strength of whānau. This bold, emotionally charged, and often hilarious performance speaks to the heart of Aotearoa.

“A graceful celebration of the power of theatre to create and tell a story.” - Tanya Piejus, Regional News

Core Creative Team
Kristyl Neho – Producer, Director, Writer, Performer
Eunice August-Smith – Co-Director
Teresa Woodham – Production Manager
Kathie Rifle – Operations Manager

Administration & Support
Clara Cabutihan – Production Administrator
Recelin Gaela – Social Media Support

Design & Creative Development
Ross McLean – Installation Designer
Piper Blaster – Set & Prop Designer
Cheryl Downie – Costume Designer
Raewyn Patterson – Pattern Designer
Walter Cabutihan – Digital & Graphic Designer

Technical Team
Janis Cheng – Lighting Designer
Michael Goodwin – Lighting Operator
Michael Hermans – Lighting Operator
Tim Bell – Lighting Operator
Maria Elliot – Sound Designer

Media & Documentation
Cosmo Calman – Videographer
Benjamin Pogai – Videographer
Brigham Pogai – Videographer & Graphics
Charlotte Anderson – Photographer
Sarah Marshall – Photographer

Contributors
Cian Elyse White, Jo Randerson – Contributing Directors
Matiu Whiting – Sound
Matewai Timu – Cultural Advisor
Michael Shultz – Videographer

About Krystal
Kristyl Neho is a Māori writer, performer, director and producer with over 25 years’ experience in theatre and youth development. A Toi Whakaari graduate, she has created and performed 17 solo shows, including the critically acclaimed Tangihanga. She has directed, written, and produced over 40 productions for tamariki and rangatahi, from touring school shows to large-scale productions. Her work empowers young people through culturally grounded, confidence-building performance experiences.

Created and performed by Lia Kelly

The Night is Always Darkest returns after a sold out season at NZ Fringe! Spend a night with Lia as she fills the sleepless hours of the morning in real-time. Get to know her and influence her decisions in this award-nominated durational theatre experience. Attend the show live or tune into our live streams on Twitch and YouTube.

“...a vital theatrical experience… at its core it is something you’ll be thinking about long after being a part of it.” - Emma Maguire, Theatreview

CREATIVE TEAM
Performer / Lead Creator: Lia Kelly (she/her)
Director: Rosie Glover (they/them)
Set / Special Designer: Izzi Lao (they/them)
AV Designer & Operator: Campbell Wright (he/him)
Producer / FOH manager: Austin Harrison (he/him)

About Lia
Lia Kelly is a Pōneke-based theatre maker, teacher, director, actor, improviser and musician. Over the past decade, she’s been involved in numerous productions across the city, including with Playshop and PopRox. Her directing debut SUPER CLEAN earned her ‘Most Promising Emerging Artist’ at the 2017 NZ Fringe Awards, and One Night Band won ‘Most Original Production’ at the 2023 Wellington Theatre Awards. Most recently, she musically directed Farce Onion for the NZ International Comedy Festival.

Written and performed by Robert Lloyd

This show was created as part of the TAHI Creative Residency programme, in partnership with Creative NZ, PAYPA and Toi Poneke Arts Centre.

A boy is stranded at sea. A storm bears down on him, and, in what he believes are his final moments, he ponders his life and the choice he made to come here—to explore what’s over the curious horizon—and wonders: Was this a mistake? There once was a boy… is a fun, poetic performance for tweens, teens and their whānau. This live “pop-up book” explores curiosity, courage, and finding light in the darkness.

Recommended for audiences aged 10+. Contains flashing lights.

Creative Team
Performer / Writer: Robert Lloyd (he/him)
Collaborator: Aileen Davidson (she/her)
Set and Puppets: Anne Lisa Noordover
Sound design and operation: Nathan Arnott
Lighting design and operation: Emma Maguire
Mentor: Kerryn Palmer

About Rob
A graduate of Toi Whakaari with a rich background in theatre and film, Rob Lloyd has spent years collaborating on productions across Aotearoa. Now, he’s stepping into the spotlight with his first original work.

Created and performed by Glenn Horsfall

Please take your seats in this cabaret classroom as lecturer, acclaimed musical theatre performer Glenn Horsfall, takes you through the twists and turns of a life imagined versus a reality lived. Glenn lays bare his journey of self-discovery, from the highs of childhood fame to the lows of bullying and self-doubt. With beautiful songs and hilarious, heartfelt, humbling stories, this show looks at what it means when the script of life gets rewritten. This Wasn’t The Plan picked up the Auckland Fringe Tour Ready Award and Outstanding Solo Performance Award at NZ Fringe 2025. It’s a must-see for anyone navigating change or questioning societal expectations. 

“Masterclass in storytelling” - The Post

Creative Team
Performer / Writer: Glenn Horsfall (he/him)
Director: Nick Lerew (he/him)
MD/Accompanist: Hayden Taylor (he/him)
Vocal Coach: Maya Handa Naff (she/her)
Production Design: Scott Maxim (he/they)