Grass Roots

Lace up your boots… Grass Roots is back by popular demand for TAHI 2026! From local club fields to Eden Park, “The Grinder” embarks on a hilarious and heartfelt odyssey through New Zealand's rugby culture. Blending iconic Kiwi anthems, pop bangers and comedy, you’re in for a ruck-us night. This energetic solo show tackles queerness, masculinity and our national obsession with the game we love here in the Land of the Long White Cloud.

Recommended 16+. Contains sexual references, adult humour and coarse language.

CREATIVE TEAM
Writer & Performer: Raureti Ormond (Ngāti Tūwharetoa)
Producer: Ace Dalziel
Set Designer: Scott Maxim
AV Designer: Grace O'Brien

ABOUT RAURETI
Raureti Ormond (Ngāti Tūwharetoa) is a theatre-maker descending from the waters of Waihāhā and Whanganui (ki Taupō Moana).

As a storyteller, his works weave whakaari pūoro (music theatre), matauranga māori and the histories of Aotearoa. He first wrote and directed ‘Te Whio’ - a folk musical retelling of the 1953 Tangiwai Disaster, earning him a nomination for ‘Most Promising Emerging Artist’ at the 2024 NZ Fringe Awards.

He was also commissioned by Kia Mau Festival to create ‘He Ingoa’ - a song cycle about the sacredness of indigenous names. Premiering at Circa Theatre, it garnered him nominations for ‘Most Promising Newcomer’ and ‘Outstanding Composer of Music’ at the Wellington Theatre Awards 2025.

He was the 2025 recipient of the Taki Rua and Tahi Festival Creative Residency, in which he premiered ‘Grass Roots.’