Kia Pohewatia
Atamira Dance Company Māori Choreographers Residency Programme
Atamira Dance Company Māori Choreographers Residency Programme
To imagine, to dream, to conjure, to create, to envision!
Atamira Dance Company is excited to announce an open call for submissions of interest to select two Māori choreographers. The chosen choreographers will be paired with an experienced mentor and supported by Atamira kaimahi, with the opportunity to collaborate alongside a team of up to four Māori dance artists.
The Kia Pohewatia programme offers a unique opportunity for the selected choreographers to develop their craft in a nurturing and collaborative environment. Both choreographers will have two weeks each, access to dedicated studio space, expert guidance, and the support of a team of four collaborating Māori dance artists. This focused development period will provide time and resources to explore creative ideas, refine choreography, and gain professional experience within a dynamic and supportive context.
APPLY HERE
Due by March 31st, 2025.
Atamira Dance Company is excited to announce an open call for submissions of interest to select two Māori choreographers. The chosen choreographers will be paired with an experienced mentor and supported by Atamira kaimahi, with the opportunity to collaborate alongside a team of up to four Māori dance artists.
The Kia Pohewatia programme offers a unique opportunity for the selected choreographers to develop their craft in a nurturing and collaborative environment. Both choreographers will have two weeks each, access to dedicated studio space, expert guidance, and the support of a team of four collaborating Māori dance artists. This focused development period will provide time and resources to explore creative ideas, refine choreography, and gain professional experience within a dynamic and supportive context.
APPLY HERE
Due by March 31st, 2025.
Photography by Jinki Cambronero, captured in the development period for Ngā Wai choreographed by Sean MacDonald (2020).
Kia hiwa rā! Kia hiwa rā!
The sun is shining bright as we welcome Ashley David into her new role as Kaiwhakahaere | General Manager of Atamira Dance Company.
In Ashley’s words: "I'm extremely honoured to be welcomed into the Atamira whānau and be given this opportunity to support the company. With people, values, and a kaupapa that I feel truly aligned with, I feel so lucky and can't wait to get to work!"
We’re beyond excited to have Ashley’s vibrant energy guide Atamira into this bright new chapter!
Nau mai, haere mai Ashley!
In Ashley’s words: "I'm extremely honoured to be welcomed into the Atamira whānau and be given this opportunity to support the company. With people, values, and a kaupapa that I feel truly aligned with, I feel so lucky and can't wait to get to work!"
We’re beyond excited to have Ashley’s vibrant energy guide Atamira into this bright new chapter!
Nau mai, haere mai Ashley!
Ka Tiri o te Moana
Auckland Premiere
Summer on Queens Wharf
Friday 7 March | 8:30pm
Queens Wharf
FREE EVENT
Summer on Queens Wharf
Friday 7 March | 8:30pm
Queens Wharf
FREE EVENT
Atamira presents a groundbreaking collaboration between founding member and Arts Foundation Laureate Louise Pōtiki Bryant, acclaimed composer Paddy Free, scenographic artist Rowan Pierce, and lighting designer Robert Larsen.
Ka Tiri o te Moana addresses the urgent issue of sea level rise due to Antarctic ice melt, and the profound impact of climate change on communities, both locally and globally. The work explores Kāi Tahu relationships with Te Moana Tapokopoko a Tawhaki (the Southern Ocean) and Ka Tiri o te Moana (Antarctica). Guided by Mātauranga Māori this powerful new creation illuminates the impacts on coastal hapū and adaptive responses in the face of rising seas.
New Kaupapa
Development Wānanga with Brydie Colquhoun
Development Wānanga with Brydie Colquhoun
For a week in January, Brydie Colquhoun (Ngāpuhi) led a week-long wānanga with six Atamira dance artists, providing her with a dedicated space to deepen and refine her evolving movement and partnering practice.
The time was filled with explorations of physical connection, intimacy, hongi (the sharing of breath), and the embodied integration of Te Ao Māori perspectives and pūrākau.
The time was filled with explorations of physical connection, intimacy, hongi (the sharing of breath), and the embodied integration of Te Ao Māori perspectives and pūrākau.
Kaihautū takes off her ‘office’ pōtae and puts on her choreographic one
Straight off the back of Brydie Colquhoun’s new work in development, Atamira will be supporting Kaihautū Bianca Hyslop as she momentarily takes off her ‘office’ pōtae and puts on her choreographic one to dive in to research and concept development for a new work honouring the independent ‘Creative Fellowship' Bianca received from Creative New Zealand in 2024.
Bianca will be working alongside Designer and partner Rowan Pierce, Mātanga Mātauranga Māori Tūī Matira Ranapiri-Ransfield (Ngāti Ohomairangi), Olivia McGregor (Ngāti Raukawa, Muaūpoko) and Sean MacDonald (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa, Tūwharetoa).
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Open morning class throughout the development so nau haere mai e te whānau! Join us in Tahu at @tepoutheatre to move together.
28 Hanuere - 7 Pēpuere 2024 (no class Waitangi Day)
9am-10:15am
Tahu, Te Pou Theatre
Free
Bianca will be working alongside Designer and partner Rowan Pierce, Mātanga Mātauranga Māori Tūī Matira Ranapiri-Ransfield (Ngāti Ohomairangi), Olivia McGregor (Ngāti Raukawa, Muaūpoko) and Sean MacDonald (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa, Tūwharetoa).
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Open morning class throughout the development so nau haere mai e te whānau! Join us in Tahu at @tepoutheatre to move together.
28 Hanuere - 7 Pēpuere 2024 (no class Waitangi Day)
9am-10:15am
Tahu, Te Pou Theatre
Free
END OF 2024
A message from Kaihautū Bianca Hyslop
A message from Kaihautū Bianca Hyslop
2024 has been a historic year for Aotearoa, with tens of thousands of Māori and Tāngata Tiriti standing in solidarity to uplift the Toitū Te Tīriti movement and voice their opposition to the “Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill.”
Now, more than ever, we must harness our art as a form of resistance — a powerful force for unity in our collective vision of a brighter future. These are the moments of resistance and transformation that inspire and guide us.
He tau pūmau, he tau whakaihiihi, he tau whakamīharo mō tātou katoa!
A year of resilience, a year of vitality, and a year of awe-inspiring moments for everyone!
As Hineraumati returns to Tamanuiterā, marking the close of our working year, join us in taking this time to rest, reflect, and unite in the warmth of the sun.
Bianca Hyslop
Kaihautū
Now, more than ever, we must harness our art as a form of resistance — a powerful force for unity in our collective vision of a brighter future. These are the moments of resistance and transformation that inspire and guide us.
He tau pūmau, he tau whakaihiihi, he tau whakamīharo mō tātou katoa!
A year of resilience, a year of vitality, and a year of awe-inspiring moments for everyone!
As Hineraumati returns to Tamanuiterā, marking the close of our working year, join us in taking this time to rest, reflect, and unite in the warmth of the sun.
Bianca Hyslop
Kaihautū
END OF 2024
A message from Executive Director Marama Lloydd
A message from Executive Director Marama Lloydd
2024 wraps up my time as Executive Director at Atamira Dance Company.
I am very proud of, and grateful to the amazing team who have worked alongside me this year in the Atamira office to uplift and empower our creative collaborators to vision, create and present new works and take their magic into communities. Our new double bill work Ka Mua Ka Muri embodied and exemplified the journey we take from past to future and so it has also been a pleasure to welcome and support new Kaihautū Bianca Hyslop into her leadership role.
Whether through live performances, digital platforms, or our community and education initiatives, it has been a privilege to connect with a diverse range of audiences — from tamariki to kaumātua. So on behalf of us all in the office, our whānau of exceptional artists and the hardworking Board of Trustees, we extend our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support throughout the past year and we wish you all a safe and happy festive season.
Marama LLoydd
Executive Director
I am very proud of, and grateful to the amazing team who have worked alongside me this year in the Atamira office to uplift and empower our creative collaborators to vision, create and present new works and take their magic into communities. Our new double bill work Ka Mua Ka Muri embodied and exemplified the journey we take from past to future and so it has also been a pleasure to welcome and support new Kaihautū Bianca Hyslop into her leadership role.
Whether through live performances, digital platforms, or our community and education initiatives, it has been a privilege to connect with a diverse range of audiences — from tamariki to kaumātua. So on behalf of us all in the office, our whānau of exceptional artists and the hardworking Board of Trustees, we extend our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support throughout the past year and we wish you all a safe and happy festive season.
Marama LLoydd
Executive Director
KA MUA KA MURI
New double bill choreographed by Bianca Hyslop and Eddie Elliott
New double bill choreographed by Bianca Hyslop and Eddie Elliott
2024 Premiere
25 - 27 July
Q Theatre, Tāmaki Makaurau
22 August
Forum North, Whangārei
25 - 27 July
Q Theatre, Tāmaki Makaurau
22 August
Forum North, Whangārei
Atamira Dance Company encompasses and uplifts the voices of acclaimed choreographers and long-time collaborators, Bianca Hyslop and Eddie Elliott in this unique and powerful double bill KA MUA KA MURI.
Derived from and inspired by, the whakatauki Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua, KA MUA KA MURI relates to Māori perspectives of time where the past, present and the future are intertwined, offering a contemporary dance experience that explores both the significance of whakapapa while defining new aspirations for the future.
Derived from and inspired by, the whakatauki Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua, KA MUA KA MURI relates to Māori perspectives of time where the past, present and the future are intertwined, offering a contemporary dance experience that explores both the significance of whakapapa while defining new aspirations for the future.
Whakamaheahea by Bianca Hyslop (Te Arawa) showcases urban Māori experiences by transcending loss-based narratives, embracing multifaceted identities that encompass divine, ancestral, and human elements, and weaving stories of empowerment, transformation, and resilience to inspire a brighter collective future.
Remain by Eddie Elliott (Ngāti Maniapoto) explores the continuity and vitality of whakapapa, tikanga, and a deep connection to Tūpuna, emphasizing the importance of preserving these cultural foundations to honor the past, understand the present, and shape a promising future for rangatahi
Images captured by Sacha Stejko and Andi Crown Photography