Rongo Whakapā
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.
*AUDIENCE RESPONSE EVENING
If purchasing tickets for the performance on Thursday, 30 April at 7:30pm, please note this is a special “Audience Response Evening”.
For one one night only, the public is invited to not only watch, but respond. Artists, photographers, poets, life drawers, and anyone curious are welcome to bring something to draw, write, or capture with and respond as the work unfolds, or simply sit back and experience it.
This audience-response evening is being trialled for the first time. Share your response with Atamira, or create just for yourself.
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