A Short History of Asian New Zealand Theatre
Performance essay meets spin class.
As part of Kia Mau Festival’s He Ngaru Nui programme, this is the new work from writer, director and creator Nathan Joe.
Welcome to
A Short History of Asian New Zealand Theatre
A retrospective and history lesson in 10 Exercises
A performance lecture
A personal essay with many persons
An epic poem spanning the last 30 years (or so)
An essay within an essay within a…
A sometimes linear
Sometimes non-linear
Chronology of events
Of feelings, of thoughts
After all, history like memory, is fragmentary, elliptical, untrustworthy
But worth searching for
An Asian performer is tasked with the mission to deliver a presentation on Asian New Zealand theatre history while riding a stationary bicycle.
Special Guest Appearances:
Wed 11 June, 7pm – Nathan Joe
Thu 12 June, 7pm – Dawn Cheong
Fri 13 June, 7pm – Cassandra Tse
Sat 14 June, 2pm – Dylan Menon
Sat 14 June, 7pm – Sean Rivera
A Premiere Season in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington, A Short History of Asian New Zealand Theatre is presented by Punctum Productions, a vehicle for self-determination for Asian Artists in Aotearoa.
Content warnings include M Rated, strong language, mention of racialised violence and slight strobing effect.
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.
You may also like the following events from Kia Mau Festival:
Also check out other
Arts events in Wellington,
Theatre events in Wellington,
Festivals in Wellington.
