Tour News - Upu announced at the Waikato Regional Theatre - 10th December 2025

Presented by Upu Collective & Waikato Regional Theatre

Award-winning and electrifying theatre experience UPU celebrates Pacific voices on stage. Fresh from its sold-out Sydney Opera House season, UPU returns home as the first-ever Tagata Moana work at the Waikato Regional Theatre. Be immersed in the heart of the Pacific with a powerful celebration of our ocean, our people, and our stories.

Tickets go on sale at 12pm on Friday 12th December.

Poems as broad and deep as the Pacific Ocean itself.

UPU - meaning ‘word’ in many languages of the Pacific, is a collection of voices from our people who live on a sea of islands connected by the vast Pacific Ocean, Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa.

Featuring works by celebrated poets including Maualaivao Albert Wendt, Selina Tusitala Marsh, Hone Tuwhare, Tusiata Avia, and Ben Brown, alongside emerging voices from across the region, UPU weaves a rich tapestry of stories, experiences and perspectives from our peoples of Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa. These poems reflect on cultural identity, history and the challenges faced by our Pacific communities from Hawaiians debating Captain Cook’s legacy, to the joys of SPAM in Guam and other islands in the Pacific impacted by US militarisation and illegal occupation, to the Marshall Islands’ struggle against rising seas.

Poetry is powerful on the page - but on stage, it’s pure magic.

Performed by an extraordinary ensemble of Tagata Moana artists including Miriama McDowell, Jarod Rawiri and Nicola Kāwana, and enhanced by evocative lighting, projections and an original multi-layered soundscape design, UPU is an intimate and unforgettable celebration of our ocean, our people and our stories.

All poems are performed in English. 

Tour Dates:

WAIKATO REGIONAL THEATRE, HAMILTON  - THURSDAY 12th & FRIDAY 13th FEBRUARY 

Ticket Sales:

waikatoregionaltheatre.co.nz

Run time - The duration of this event is 60 minutes. 
Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change. 

Age - Recommended for ages 15+ 
Performances will contain strobe lighting, strong language and adult themes. 
Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times. 

UPU features published works of the following poets - Tusiata Avia, Ben Brown, Brandy Nālani McDougall, Craig Santos Perez, Sia Figiel, Briar Grace-Smith, Daren Kamali, Karlo Mila, Grace Mera Molisa, Noʻu Revilla, Celestine Kulagoe, John Pule, Tafea Polamalu, Leilani Tamu, Apirana Taylor, Teresia Teaiwa, Hone Tuwhare, Selina Tusitala Marsh, Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner, Konai Helu Thaman, Albert Leomala, Maualaivao Albert Wendt and Lyz Soto.

CREATIVES - UPU COLLECTIVE

Artistic Director & Co-Creator: Fasitua Amosa 
Curator & Co-Creator: Grace Iwashita-Taylor 
Producer: Ana Corbett 
Production Manager & Sound Engineer: Emily Hakaraia 
Lighting & Projection Design: Rowan Pierce 
Soundscape Design & Original Composition: Faiumu Matthew Salapu 
Set Design: Michael McCabe 
Costume Design: Kristin Seth 
Artist & Cultural Design Elements (Mamanu Design): Tyla Vaeau 
Movement & Choreography: Joash Fahitua 
Tech Operator: Elekis Poblete 
Stage Manager: Eliza Rutter 

CAST

Fasitua Amosa 
Ana Corbett 
Nicola Kāwana 
Miriama McDowell 
Shadon Meredith 
Jarod Rāwiri 

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