Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Ruth Agnew reviews Kōpū, written by Tuakoi Ohia, directed by Amber Curreen with musical direction from John Gibson, produced by Te Rehia Theatre and staged at the Court Theatre, Thursday 17 July 2025. Unpeg yourself from the patriarchy! Kōpū begins with the instruction to “leave your white feminism at the door”, and with that baggage… Continue reading Review: Kōpū – a fierce, impressive celebration of femininity
Erin Harrington reviews Songs of My Garage Party, presented by Henare "H" Kaa and friends at The Great Hall, Saturday 14 June, 2025. Henare “H” Kaa has invited us to join him and some of his mates at a garage party, but instead of freezing cinderblocks, a flash Dominator with an electric door, or a… Continue reading Review: Songs of My Garage Party – a buzzy, aroha-filled night of story and song
Erin Harrington reviews The Māori Sidesteps at the Great Hall, Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre, Thursday 12 June, 2025. The Māori Sidesteps are expert entertainers with charisma to die for. They pay full-throated homage to legendary Māori showbands like the Volcanics, the Howard Morrison Quartet and the Quin Tikis, while weaving Māoritanga through… Continue reading Review: The Māori Sidesteps – world class entertainment to warm your Matariki
Erin Harrington reviews Ngā Rorirori, by Hone Kouka, presented on tour by Tawata Productions, at the Aurora Centre, Friday 4 October. Hone Kouka’s new work Ngā Rorirori (or ‘the fools’) is a truly original piece of performance that combines dance and theatre to offer a comedic account of one family’s clash over whenua. Choregraphed by… Continue reading Review: Ngā Rorirori – a whirlwind mix of farce, dance, music – and ancestral land rights
Erin Harrington reviews The Haka Party Incident, written and directed by Katie Wolfe, at The Court Theatre, Friday 27 October 2023. In 1979, a group of Māori activists, who would come to be known later as He Taua, went to the University of Auckland to confront a group of engineering students who were preparing for… Continue reading Review: The Haka Party Incident – bold, ferocious, essential viewing
A midwinter restrospective for springtime: Erin Harrington reviews Ka Noho, Ka Mate, presented in the Great Hall as part of the Te Matatiki Toi Ora Arts Centre Matariki Festival, 14 July 2023. The Matariki performance (or gig? or lamentation?) Ka Noho, Ka Mate starts solemnly. Kaiako and rapper Kommi Tamati-Elliffe (Kāi Tahu, Te Ātiawa), producer… Continue reading Review: Ka Noho, Ka Mate – a journey in and out of grief that reminds us everything is here
Erin Harrington reviews the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra's concert Matariki Around the World, led by creative director Juanita Hepi and conductor Nathaniel Griffiths, at the James Hay Auditorium, Wednesday 5 July 2023. There is something very moving about the way that Matariki is being enthusiastically embraced on a national scale as something unique to this place,… Continue reading Review: Matariki Around the World – musicial storytelling about the things that connect us
Flat City Field Notes 