Following its renowned sold-out premiere season in 2021, The Haka Party Incident will be presented across Aotearoa in June 2023 as part of PANNZ's touring programme.
“Masterfully brings to life a bold act of resistance…intensely funny, to heartbreakingly sad in a single beat”
Theatreview, 09 April 2021
The last New Zealand war took place in Auckland in 1979. It lasted three minutes.
The Haka Party Incident resurrects the eventful day when a group of University of Auckland engineering students rehearsing their annual tradition of a mock haka are confronted by the activist group, He Taua.
The incident sent ripples through the nation and changed race relations in New Zealand forever.
Crafted by film-maker and theatre director Katie Wolfe (The Mooncake and the Kūmara, Waru, He Māngai Wāhine, Artefact), The Haka Party Incident is verbatim theatre that innovatively combines documentary and kapa haka to thrilling effect.
Provocative, resonant and unforgettable, The Haka Party Incident is a not-to-be-missed theatre event.
Writer & Director - Katie Wolfe
Kaiako Kapa Haka/ Kaitito Haka - Nīkau Balme
Sound Design& Musical Direction - Kingsley Spargo
Taonga Pūoro - Whetu Silver
Set Design - John Verryt
Lighting Design - Jo Kilgour
Costume Design - Alison Reid
Performers - Roimata Fox, Nī Dekkers-Reihana, Lauren Gibson, Aidan O’Malley, Patrick Tafa, Kauri Williams, Finley Hughes
Supported by Creative New Zealand, produced by Tasman Ray Productions and presented as part of the PANNZ (Performing Arts Network New Zealand) touring programme. Originally commissioned and produced by Auckland Theatre Company, original season co-presented by Auckland Festival.
By arrangement with Playmarket.
The PANNZ national tour will be followed later this year with shows at Tauranga Arts Festival (19-20 Oct) and Court Theatre in Christchurch (25 Oct - 11 Nov).