Sons of Vao
An award-winning Pasifika story that speaks straight from the heart.
“I am standing in the water so I can touch home…”
Set in the summer of 1965, Waiora follows Hone, who brings his whānau from the East Cape to the South Island in search of a better life. As they gather for a beachside birthday hāngī with their Pākehā guests, buried secrets and
cultural tensions rise to the surface. Far away from home, can they find a place to stand together or will they be set adrift in an ocean of change?
Originally premiered 30 years ago by the New Zealand International Festival of the Arts, Waiora is a landmark piece of New Zealand theatre, exploring the impact of colonisation, the urban drift, and the tension between past and future. Written and directed by multi-award-winning Hone Kouka MNZM (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungunu), Waiora is a powerful reflection on family, culture and belonging.
A collaboration between Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, Auckland Theatre Company, Tawata Productions and Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival.
“Kei te wai ahau e tū ana, e pāngia ai e au te kāinga”
He mea whakataruna ko te tau 1965, ka whāia a Hone, nōna ka kawe i tōna whānau i te Tai Rāwhiti ki Te Waipounamu ki te kimi oranga. Ka huihui rātou ki tātahi, he huritau, he hāngī te kai, he manuhiri hoa Pākehā, he kupu muna, he tohe ahurei ka puea ake. Matara ana i hō rātou kāinga, kei whea he tūranga mō rātou, kei kawea e ngā hau hurihuri o te wā.
He mea whakarewa e New Zealand International Festival of the Arts 30 tau ki muri, he whakaaturanga hirahira a Waiora nō te ao toi whakaari o Niu Tīreni, ā, he mea matapaki i te tāmi, te rere ā-tāone, me te whakatete o te onamata ki te anamata, nā te toki nei, nā Hone Kouka o Ngāti Porou, Raukawa me Kahungunu. He mana nui tō Waiora, e pā ana ki te whānau, ki te ahurea, me tēnei mea te tūranga waewae.
He mahinga ngātahi nō Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, Auckland Theatre Company, Tawata Productions me Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival.
“A beautifully written play that merges Greek tragedy with classic post-war plays like [those by] Arthur Miller.”
| Touch Tour | Sun 15 Mar 2:30pm
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| Audio-Described Performance | Sun 15 Mar 4:00pm
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| Relaxed Performance | Tue 17 Mar 7:00pm This relaxed performance is a comfortable and inclusive experience which may be especially welcomed by autistic and neurodivergent audience members.
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| NZSL-Interpreted Performance | Fri 20 Mar 8:00pm
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Event and Ticketing Details
Duration
2 hours and 15 minutes, including interval.
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Parking
Pre-book Theatre Carpark
Take the hassle out of finding a car park. Pre-book a space at our theatre car park for only $20 - just a short walk to the theatre.
Creative Learning
Experience Waiora Te Ūkaipō – The Homeland with your students at an 11:00am school matinee. Every booking includes a free recording of the production, curriculum-linked education packs for ākonga, and access to in-school workshops.
Explore curriculum links, suitability and available performance dates.
Pay What You Wish
Each show has a performance for which you can set the price of your ticket (minimum is $10). It's first in, best seats, with the performance ticketed as General Admission. Tickets go on sale at least three weeks before the performance.
$30 Under 30
Supported by Europcar
Younger audiences (30 years and younger) can see any of our shows for just $30. Discounted tickets are available in A and B reserve.
Preview Performances
Save 20% on an Adult ticket for Auckland Theatre Company shows when you book see the first performances of a season before opening night.