KIA MAU ANNOUNCES FIRST SHOWS FOR 2023

Now in its seventh iteration, Kia Mau brings winter warmth to the Wellington region and has fast become one of the world’s most highly regarded contemporary Indigenous arts festivals. This year, it continues its emphasis on uplifting mana whenua artists, but will also welcome performers and companies from Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, Ōtepoti/Dunedin, the Pacific and Canada to Te Ūpoko O Te Ika A Maui/Wellington region from 2 to 17 June. 

He Toi Whakairo, He Mana Tangata - M9 bringing Māori Art front and centre this Matariki

Māori oratory and performance event M9 is returning on its one-year anniversary this Matariki, spotlighting nine powerful Māori voices from the world of toi Māori. Presented by Matai Smith, this instalment of  M9: He Toi Whakairo, He Mana Tangata – will collectivise and weave together the tapestries of Māori arts on July 6 at Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre, Tāmaki Makaurau. 

Shark release early this morning

The National Aquarium of New Zealand released two sharks into the ocean early this morning, returning them to the waters from which they originated. 

These were the aquarium’s last remaining sharks, a 2.2 metre broadnose sevengill shark and a 1.2 metre school shark.  Both species are naturally occurring in Hawke Bay and are wide spread throughout New Zealand waters.

Rachel Haydon, General Manager at the National Aquarium, explains that the decision to release the sharks was due to recurring abrasions the sharks experienced to their noses (rostrums).