Te Rākau announce Waenga Tour newsletter

Te Rākau are proud to present an expanded version of the 2025 critically acclaimed play Waenga, created by sister and brother Hariata and Tamati Moriarty, directed by Jim Moriarty with dramaturgy by Helen Pearse-Otene. Developed with Te Rākau, Waenga premiered in the Kia Mau Festival in 2025 and was presented to schools in 2025 and early 2026. Te Rākau presented Waenga ki Porirua, a Theatre-In-Education version at Aotea College last year. 

Te Rākau is adding our Theatre Marae flair, featuring music by Rameka Tamaki (Out the Gate) and an ensemble of eight talented actors, including Hariata Moriarty (Cousins, Not in Our Neighbourhood), Tamati Moriarty (After the Party), Mycah Keall (Waiora), Regan Taylor (Waiora, The Maori Sidesteps), Brooke Wharehinga, Matiu Rata, Rylee Herewini, and Ryan Holtham. Additional music by Reon Te Aorangi Max Rose (Out the Gate), choreography by Tanemāhuta Gray (Out the Gate, Tiki Taane Mahuta), and costume by Sheila Horton (Robin Hood).

“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 and Tamati Moriarty

Theatre Marae tour 19 June - 5 Aug, 21 venues.

Wellington, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu, Kāpiti, Horowhenua, Wairarapa, Taranaki & Whanganui

Te Rākau Kaimahi Update

In 2026, Dylan Fa’atui and Rylee Herewini have joined Kamaia Bainbridge-Frost (our communications assistant) in being mentored by Lisa Maule and Jim Moriarty in project coordination and producing, and Helen Pearse-Otene and Jim Moriarty in the development of a creative voice. This is our tuakana–teina model in day-to-day organisational practice. We are supported by Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira and the Māhuntonga fund to support rangatahi. Dylan and Rylee are also running workshops in schools— sharing our Theatre Marae joy.

Helen Pearse-Otene continues to apply her energies and skills in supporting people seeking personal and creative growth. She is currently mentoring three early-career artists on their playwriting journeys and is providing dramaturgical advice for the next iteration of Waenga (Hurō Productions). Helen is also working as a therapist in kaupapa Māori community health and remains heavily invested in her advocacy work for former defence personnel and their families. Jim Moriarty continues to invest in people and the TIAKI kaupapa through the Tuanui programme. As an actor, Jim has just finished filming Secrets at Red Rocks Season 2 with Libertine Productions, filmed on the South Coast of Wellington, a place very dear to Jim’s heart. Jim is planning Waenga as director and producer and working closely with the team.

In addition to organising Waenga, Lisa Maule continues learning and sharing her Tangata Tiriti experiences and her emerging poetry practice. She chaired a session in March at the online conference Tiriti-based Futures with poets Hinemoana Baker, Tusiata Avia, and Karlo Mila. Kauia Moriarty is returning from maternity leave to add her sparkle to our future planning and partnership development. Kamaia Bainbridge-Frost is in her second year working with Te Rākau and her final year of study at Massey University, Wellington. She is developing her journalism skills in the role of Te Ao Māori writer at Massive, Massey University’s student magazine.

Dylan Fa’atui (Fa’atoia, Vaiala, Vaovai Falealili, Gautavai Palauli)

Associate Producer - Hoa Kaihautū

Dylan grew up in Taitā, Lower Hutt, and will lead the Whakapapa workshops and is currently organising venues and people alongside Lisa on Waenga.

Rylee Herewini  (Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou me Te Whakatōhea)

Project Co-ordinator - Kairukuruku Kaupapa

Rylee was born and raised in Porirua, Wellington. She is coordinating our Whakapapa workshops.

Hariata Moriarty and Hurō Productions update

Hariata and Tamati Moriarty have performed in many Te Rākau plays over the years. Their parents are Jim Moriarty and Helen Pearse-Otene. They formed a production company last year, Hurō Productions. Since forming, they have premiered the play Waenga and toured to schools including Wellington and the South Island with Taki Rua Productions. In 2026 they also created a short film written by Jorja Heta and Matariki Bennet, which is now in post-production.

Hurō is partnering with Te Rākau to develop their play Waenga into our touring ensemble Theatre Marae version.

Hariata is also performing for Taki Rua at Circa Theatre in May and June in the solo play Not in Our Neighbourhood written by Jamie McCaskill and produced by Taki Rua Productions.

23 May – 13 June.

“This is the kind of story that draws you in… and stays with you.”

Book your tickets.