Out the Gate

19 Jun - 2 Aug

2026

19 venues

Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Heretaunga, Manawatū, Kāpiti, Taranaki, Whanganui, Wairarapa, Horowhunua
Ka kitea koutou!

Critically acclaimed play

created by Hariata & Tamati Moriarty

directed by Jim Moriarty

Waenga is a story that centres on a young Māori wahine who is arrested and finds herself in a police holding cell. Alongside her journey is Peyton, who is coming to understand what a Tangata Tiriti partnership is and Grayson, a young Māori lawyer. Through the play, they navigate the complexities of the justice system and other characters from their neighbourhood.

With eight performers including well known Moriarty rangatahi Hariata and Tamati Moriarty the play is presented in Te Rākau’s unique Theatre Marae framework holding reflection and kōrerō.

Amongst this kōrerō is a discussion about the role of civics and government policy on ordinary people, led by our rangatahi supported by our rangatira Jim Moriarty.

Te Rākau Hua o Te Wao Tapu
Hūro Productions
Ngāti Toa Rangatira

Waenga is a show that really speaks to Māori and all New Zealanders because it tackles real issues we’re facing together as a country. It shines a light on concerns that communities keep raising with the Government, only to be met with silence or dismissal.

-Theatreview

I hangaia tēnei whakaari arā, ko Waenga, mā ngā rangatahi Māori kia kite ai i a rātou wheako i a rātou whakaaro hoki ki runga i te atamira.

The show Waenga was created so that rangatahi Māori could see their voices and their experiences told on the stage.

-Hariata & Tamati Moriarty (creators)

In today's volatile political climate this play is a chance to ask – how do I make my own voice count? How do I make my vote count?

-Jim Moriarty (director)