By Shifting Centre
As part of our He Toi Hou programme, Shifting Centre returns to Kia Mau Festival 2025 with their new work, The Circle. A work that explores themes of support, celebration and what true liberation can look like for oneself and as a collective.
The Circle is a dance theatre work which is set in a fantastical world, following a community of characters as they journey through their shared present in search of Utopia.
This work delves into themes of support and celebration, underscoring that true liberation is not only found in standing together through struggle but also in actively celebrating each other’s successes.
As the narrative unfolds, the characters are challenged to confront the complexities of what support really means, recognising that it takes on many different forms for different people.
He Toi Hou brings together the most innovative and thought-provoking contemporary Indigenous arts. This pou is a testament to the spirit of creation and offers a space for fresh, dynamic works to make their debut, allowing audiences to experience the raw power and authenticity of new voices or old voices in new ways.
Creative Credits
Director Sefa Tunupopo (he/they), Vaiala, Puipa’a, Samoa
Producer Tamia Filipo (she/her), Fakaofo, Tokelau
Lighting Designer Isadora Lao (they/them)
Lighting Operator Grayson Ziogas (he/him), Ngāi Tahu
Media & Marketing Havea Latu (he/him)
Sound Designers Levi Siaosi | Montell Nickel | Grayson Ziogas
Cast
Oto Lupo
Kōwhai Deuchars
Sahara Hanipale
Kaysee Savali
Levi Siaosi
Montell Nickel
Shifting Centre is an Indigenous arts collective based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, dedicated to fostering space for Indigenous artists and their work. Through artistic creation and community engagement, we aim to enrich the local arts landscape while uncovering alternative pathways for Indigenous artists in the region.
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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