The Handlers
Written by Poata Alvie McKree + Presented by Kia Mau Festival
As part of Kia Mau Festival’s He Ngaru Nui programme pou, The Handlers, written by Poata Alvie McKree (Ngāti Kahu, Ngāpuhi ki Whangaroa, Yurumein, Barbados) and produced in partnership with Kia Mau Festival by an experienced rōpū of Te Whanganganui a Tara based artists, is right here-right now.
Crown Lynn wāhine, handling it all.
Set against the backdrop of a politically charged Aotearoa — where mana Māori motuhake is rising and the Dawn Raids are casting long shadows — The Handlers tells the story of women holding it down, lifting each other up, and handling more than most ever knew.
It is 1976 West Auckland; the Crown Lynn factory is firing on all cylinders, pumping out crockery for homes across the country — crafted by the hands of unseen Māori and Pasifika workers. In the Handle Room, Aunty Whero keeps things humming, as she quietly defies her Pākehā boss John’s rules bringing her nieces Kiri and Hine onto the line. Their Tongan colleague and friend Salote keeps their secret, while the wāhine navigate long hours, workplace racism, and the weight of expectations — both at mahi and at home.
This vibrant, funny, and moving work by Poata Alvie McKree celebrates the resilience, wit, and sisterhood of Māori and Pasifika women in the factories of the 1970s. A fictionalised account rooted in truth, The Handlers honours the generations who shaped our workplaces, our homes, and our histories — and maybe even the Crown Lynn mug in your cupboard.
The Handlers was originally commissioned and premiered by Te Pou Theatre and the Kōanga Festival Playwright Programme.
He Ngaru Nui is more than just a collection of performances—it is a bold statement about the value and significance of Indigenous narratives. These shows take stories that sometimes feel small, intimate, or unheard, and amplify them on the grand stages they deserve. This programming strand honours the storytelling traditions of Māori, Pasifika and global indigenous cultures, while pushing the boundaries of contemporary performance. It’s about taking stories from our communities and sharing them with the world in a way that is both respectful and revolutionary.
Image used with permission from Te Toi Uku, Peter and Dorothy Grant Donation.
Creative Credits
Writer Poata Alvie McKree (Ngāti Kahu, Ngāpuhi ki Whangaroa, Yurumein, Barbados)
Co-Directors Sepelini Mua’au & Carrie Green
Co-Producers Trae Te Wiki & Sepelini Mua’au
Spatial Design Lucas Neal
Cast
Whero Kali Kopae
Salote Rosalind Tui
Kiri & Hine Waitahi Aniwaniwa McGee & Te Ani Solomon
John Craig Geenty
About the Writer Poata Alvie McKree
Poata Alvie McKree (Ngāti Kahu, Ngāpuhi ki Whangaroa, Yurumein, Barbados) is an interdisciplinary artist and arts therapist whose practice bridges story, spirit, and social healing. Her work reimagines the lived experiences of her ancestors to speak to present-day identity, connection, and transformation. Alvie works across writing, movement, and ritual, drawing on her heritage to foster deeper relationships between people, whenua, and wairua.
Learn More About Kia Mau Festival
Tihei mauri ora!
Ka mihi ki ngā uri o te whenua o Te Upoko o te ika a Māui.
E ngā haukāinga o te rohe nei, Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Taranaki Whānui,
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa!
Kia Mau Festival is at the forefront of contemporary Tāngata Whenua, Tāngata Moana, and Indigenous theatre and dance in Aotearoa and beyond. We are innovators—pushing boundaries, redefining forms, and forging new paths with creative risk-taking at every step. Right here, right now, we bring together local, national, and international artists in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. We find the intersection where our stories intertwine, creating an experience that is uniquely ‘local’ yet unparalleled in Pōneke throughout the year.
Kia Mau offers a truly unique experience, led by Tāngata Whenua, Tāngata Moana, and Indigenous voices at every level—from our leadership to our artists and audiences. Unlike any other festival, we are not just a platform for presentations; we are a hub for kōrero and whanaungatanga.
Our festival serves as a whare where Tāngata Whenua, Tāngata Moana, and Indigenous artists and their communities are supported throughout the creation, development, and staging of their works. By providing a nurturing environment, we empower individual artists, strengthen their capabilities, and enrich the arts sector, celebrating the diversity and talent of Tāngata Whenua, Tāngata Moana, and Indigenous artists.
With our deep understanding of the arts sector and strong relationships with artists from emerging talents to established figures, we identify those at pivotal moments in their careers or with significant projects. By including them in the Kia Mau Festival programme, we support them in taking strategic steps forward. This approach has allowed Kia Mau Festival to make a substantial impact on numerous artists and, consequently, shape the contemporary arts landscape.
Returning to Te Upoko o te Ika a Māui, Aotearoa New Zealand from 30 May – 14 June 2025. Nau mai, haramai! Nau mai, hoki mai ki te hui ahurei o Kia Mau!
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