Kori Pūrākau is a workshop programme introducing ākonga (students) to basic choreographic processes through storytelling in dance and movement.

Drawing inspiration from te Pou Kapua (Cloud Pillar), the stunning 21-metre carving that shares pūrākau of the great navigator Kupe, the creation narratives of Ranginui and Papatūānuku, and the ancestral stories of Māui. Experienced Atamira dancers guide ākonga through a range of movement tasks.

Ākonga explore movement qualities, themes, and imagery drawn from pūrākau Māori, translating narrative, place, and whakapapa into embodied expression.

For the past two years, Atamira has delivered a workshop that moves tamariki through Gavin Bishop’s (Tainui; Ngāti Awa) best-selling and award-winning book, ATUA: Māori Gods and Heroes. 

Tamariki transform into atua and experience storytelling through dance and music to bring this magical book to life. All ages and abilities are welcome.

In 2025, Atamira has collaborated with Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki to produce two workshops for rangatahi and tamariki.

Kia Ruku ki Tai!
Atamira dance artists guide tamariki on a journey through Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Art Gallery’s exhibition Taimoana | Coastlines. This workshop invites tamariki to explore the exhibition through movement, play, and imagination.

Kiritai | Beyond the Walls
Atamira shared our diverse dance whakapapa with rangatahi, providing them with a unique experience of how dance can tell the story of who you are and where you come from.

Since 2023, Atamira has partnered with Unitec Dance to deliver and facilitate their course HAKA TOI AOTEAROA which encompasses weekly classes throughout the year.

Facilitated by a range of Atamira practitioners, the tauira gain an overview of Te Ao Māori and engage with contemporary indigenous thinking and knowledge to give insight for performance or within Māori space.

Grounded in tikanga practices, we can tailor the workshop to your class kaupapa.

Best suited for school years 9-13.