Ngā Hua Toi is an advocacy project for Māori Theatre & Dance across Aotearoa. Since 2020, throughout the pandemic, we have continued to identify and recognise the ongoing barriers for Māori Theatre & Dance artists, practitioners, companies and collectives.

Alongside Toi Aotearoa Creative New Zealand’s Te Ha o Ngā Toi Māori Arts Strategy 2019 – 2024, Ngā Hua Toi is being developed to support Māori Theatre & Dance artists and companies. Beginning as a pilot programme, first established in 2020, Ngā Hua Toi is now delivering a programme of kaupapa, initiatives, kōrero and wānanga throughout Aotearoa – including Te Taitokerau, Waikato, Heretaunga, Ōtautahi & Ōtepoti, as well as in the online space.

In 2022, te whānau o Ngā Hua Toi continues to grow. Our current staff include Aroha Rawson, Nathan Mudge and Stevie Greeks, working alongside Hone Kouka, Dolina Wehipeihana and Mīria George – as well as with the wider support of The Grateful 8.

As part of our current programme, independent artists and companies are participating in both online and kanohi ki te kanohi initiatives throughout the country. opened to the Māori theatre & dance industry from late 2021 and into 2022. This extended programme has been made possible with the support of Manatū Taonga Ministry of Culture and Heritage.

Ngā Hua Toi is a project created and nurtured by a collective of ten Māori Contemporary Arts companies & festivals – The Grateful 8 – based across the motu including Tāmaki Makaurau, Tūranga-nui-a- Kiwa, Te Whanganui-a-Tara and Ōtautahi. The Grateful Eight includes Hone Kouka, Dolina Wehipeihana, Amber Curreen, Tainui Tukiwaho, Marama Lloydd, Tama Waipara, Tanea Heke, Tānemahuta Gray, Hōhepa Waitoa and Mīria George. Emerging theatre producer Vanessa Immink (Ngāti Apa, Tuwharetoa) was also a key component to the first year of kaupapa delivery as part of Ngā Hua Toi.