Rongo Whakapā | Kaitaia

Rongo Whakapā, the debut choreographic work by Brydie Colquhoun (Ngāpuhi), one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most captivating Māori contemporary dance artists, invites audiences to slow down, witness and connect.

In an intimate environment, six dancers respond to each other and a shifting space while exploring tensions between individualism and community through entrancing movement, immersive sound design by Eden Mulholland and distinctive spatial design by Rowan Pierce.

Shaped by Brydie’s extensive embodied knowledge and whakapapa of movement practice as both a practitioner and teacher, Rongo Whakapā, meaning “sense of touch,” proposes new, or perhaps old, ways of gathering and encountering.

Atamira Dance Company is honoured to support this significant milestone in the evolving landscape of Māori contemporary dance. Having premiered in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland July 2025, Rongo Whakapā will tour to ONEONESIX in Whangārei 29 April-1 May, Turner Centre in Kerikeri 7-8 May and Te Ahu Hall in Kaitaia 13-14 May.

CREDITS

Te Kāhui Auaha | Creative Team Kaitito Nekehanga | Choreographer – Brydie Colquhoun (Ngāpuhi) Kaihoahoa I Spatial & Light Designer – Rowan Pierce Kaitito | Sound Designer – Eden Mulholland (Ngāti Purou)

Kaikanikani | Dance Artists Abbie Rogers (Kāi Tahu, Te Arawa), Caleb Heke (Ngāpuhi), Jeremy Beck (Kāi Tahu), Rachel Ruckstuhl-Mann (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Rangitāne), Sean MacDonald (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa, Tūwharetoa, Rangitāne), Tai Taranui Hemana (Te Arawa)

Te Kāhui Hangarau | Technical and Production Team Kaiwhakahaere Hanga Hōtaka | Production Manager – Emmanuel Reynaud Kaiāwhina Hangarau | Technical Consultant – Robert Larsen (Ngāti Awa ki Te Awa o Te Atua) Ringa Hangarau | Operator – Kaia Umuhuri

Te Kāhui o Atamira | Atamira Management Team Kaihautū | Director – Bianca Hyslop (Te Arawa) Kaiwhakahaere | General Manager – Ashley David Kaiwhakaputa Auaha | Creative Producer – Marama Lloydd (Ngāpuhi, Te Tahawai, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kahu) Kaiwhakahaere Tairanga, Ako | Marketing and Education Producer – Abbie Rogers

Kaiāwhina | Contributors Tūī Matira Ranapiri-Ransfield (Ngāti Ohomairangi) Mokonui-a-rangi Smith (Te Arawa, Tainui, Takitimu, Horouta) Miriama McDowell (Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi) Olivia McGregor (Muaūpoko, Ngāti Raukawa) Madi Tumataroa (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Pāhauwera) Tyler Wilson Te Pou Theatre // Silo Theatre // Q Theatre // Creative Ambiance Stage Technologies

Whakatairanga | Campaign Campaign Creative Direction – Osborne Shiwan Campaign Hero Photography and Videography – Shabnam Shiwan Campaign Drone Photography and Videography – Petra Leary Show Videography – Matt Gillanders, Caroline Bindon Show Photography – Andi Crown

Tautoko Pūtea | Funders Creative New Zealand, Foundation North, Auckland Council, Far North Creative Communities