The New Zealand Dance Company presents
Matariki for Tamariki / Ngā Tamariki o Ngā Mata Ariki
by Sean MacDonald

The New Zealand Dance Company (NZDC) presents the premiere season of Matariki for Tamariki – their first full length work specifically created for children and “kidaults” alike. Proudly a part of Auckland’s Matariki Festival and the Auckland Live Kids 2019 season, accomplished New Zealand dancer and choreographer Sean MacDonald (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāi Tahu) has developed an enchanting and engaging dance journey, appearing  at the Bruce Mason Centre on July 12 & 13 and Māngere Arts Centre on July 19 & 20.

Travelling through the season as the Matariki constellation that signals the Māori New Year dawns and sets, the dancers will tell the story of traversing across Aotearoa’s landscape through lush ngahere (forests), mighty maunga (mountains), and majestic moana (oceans). The nine whetū (stars) of Matariki each have their own history and personality, with their wairua (spirit) inhabited by NZDC’s talented professional dancers in this full-length work, to create an accessible, heartfelt show for the whole whānau.

The Matariki story is one that touches all, a universally relevant exploration of the cycles of life, delving into the relationship between voyages, nature and the cosmos. The 50-minute journey for the whole family delves into what Matariki means to the artists creating the work, the youth participants and the audience. Sean’s majestic and humorous choreography is paired with evocative costume and set design by Rona Ngahuia Osborne and spectacular sound design by Alistair Deverick (Boycrush) to inspire joy and gratitude for the whenua (land) we call home. Performing this innovative new work are some of NZDC’s most elite artists – Chrissy Kokiri (Te Arawa), Carl Tolentino, and Katie Rudd who have been full time with the Company since 2016, joined by Eddie Elliott (Tainui, Ngāti Maniapotowho) last danced with the Company for the international tour of Lumina in 2018, newcomer Ngaere Jenkins (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Tuwharetoa), a recent graduate of the New Zealand School of Dance, and lastly Taniora Motutere (Te Rarawa, Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tuwharetoa) who makes his NZDC return in this energetic new work.

An exciting element of these performances will be two affiliated Youth Winter Schools—one at each  venue—for aspiring dancers ages 12 years and older. Students “live a week in the life” of NZDC’s professional dancers, participating in daily contemporary technique and creative choreography sessions, culminating in a rare opportunity to perform alongside NZDC Company members in Matariki for Tamariki. The two separate Youth Winter Schools will be held at the Bruce Mason Centre July 8-13 and Māngere Arts Centre July 15-20 and limited “pay what you can” options are available for young people in need through funding from Youthtown.

Engaging with audiences across Auckland as part of their annual Tāmaki tour, these public performances fall during the July school holidays, returning to the North Shore’s Bruce Mason Centre as part of the Auckland Live Kids 2019 Programme and NZDC’s debut season at the Māngere Arts Centre.

Friday 12 July, 2019 - Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland
at 12pm
Saturday 13 July, 2019 - Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland
at 11am** & 3pm
Friday 19 July, 2019 - Māngere Arts Centre, Auckland
at 12pm
Saturday 20 July, 2019 - Māngere Arts Centre, Auckland
at 3pm & 6:30pm

**Please note that the 11am performance on Saturday 13 July will be relaxed. Designed to welcome all those who would benefit from a more relaxed performance environment, the event will be accompanied by a Social Story that explains simply and at a glance the venue and show. Use the code RELAXED when booking to access seats closest to the auditorium doors. More info on relaxed performances here: https://www.aucklandlive.co.nz/accessibility.