Kōanga is heralded by the blossoming of the kōwhai and the call of the pīpīwharauroa as it returns to our shores. This is traditionally a time of joining together and combining efforts to prepare the ground and plant for the next harvest.  We see this festival as a platform to prepare the fertile ground of our Māori Theatre community.

2022 Programme Overview 

Two years ago, in response to COVID-19 and the impact on our sector we decided to invest more into playwrights, providing more opportunities and a longer period of development for their work. We have continued this into 2022 and are proud to be offering four playwrights a three-month script development period, culminating in a one-week workshop.

Playwrights will spend July – September developing their scripts for a rehearsed reading in October as part of our Kōanga Festival. This will be live or digitally presented depending on the state of the world at that time. Over the three-month time frame writers will meet regularly online as a rōpu, with dramaturg and script advisors to support, motivate and provide expertise.

The Opportunity

Your play will be developed over a three-month period and presented during Kōanga.

• Script Development Programme: A 12-week writing and research period with 1:1 dramaturgy sessions and regular hui

• Script Workshop: A five-day workshop with dramaturge, director and actor/s arranged by Te Pou Theatre

• Your play will be read at a Kōanga Festival hosted event (live or online)

• A writers stipend of $3,000.00

• Te Pou team will consult with you about how to further progress your play following the workshop.

Conditions / Requirements:

• This programme supports Māori playwrights at any level of experience (yes, even if you’ve never written before or have plenty under your belt – we’ll cater to your needs).

• Stage plays intended for professional presentation

• Plays must not have had any prior presentation season

• Commitment to development of your concept or existing draft over a three month period resulting in a full script reading in October.

• Be open to changing and adapting your script during the workshop period.

• Auckland based or Northland based is a priority for Te Pou Theatre. However, if not Auckland based be able to travel and organize accommodation in Tāmaki Makaurau over the workshop period in September.

Important Dates:

Saturday 2 April 2022 Due Date for submissions (by midnight)
Friday 22 April 2022  Announcement 
Sunday 10 July 2022 Programme starts (12 weeks) incl. weekly zoom meetings. More dates for hui and script deadlines will be confirmed in May
23 September 2022 Kōanga Festival Opening Event
26 September 2022 One week Script Development Workshop in Auckland as part of Kōanga Festival 
1 – 2 October 2022 Kōanga Festival Play-reading Event

Kōanga Festival Playwrights programme is made possible by funding from Creative New Zealand, Foundation North and Auckland Council.

Links & contact details: