Autaia 2025: Rangatahi-Led Haka Theatre Returns for Two Powerful Nights in Auckland
Looking for something inspiring to take your older kids or teens to this August? Autaia, the incredible haka theatre event created and performed by secondary school students, is back at Auckland’s Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre. This year, for the first time, it will run over two evenings to give more kura and schools the chance to take the stage.
The 2025 showcase takes place on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 August, featuring original haka theatre works by 12 kura and schools from Auckland, Northland and Waikato. If you have teens interested in te ao Māori, performing arts or powerful storytelling, this is a fantastic night out to experience something unique and meaningful together.
Each group will present their own haka theatre piece, created and choreographed by the students themselves. Performances fall into three creative categories:
Haka Bracket – Haka infused with theatrical storytelling
Haka Musical – Haka blended with music, character and drama
Haka Movement – Storytelling through haka-inspired movement and choreography
This year’s theme is He Hawaiki Hou – A Return, A Renewal, A Rising and the show is all about identity, strength and cultural expression. The energy on stage is powerful, and it’s easy to feel proud of what our rangatahi are achieving.
Behind the scenes, Autaia is about more than performance. Students earn NCEA credits, work with professional mentors and gain confidence in both their creative and leadership skills. It’s a celebration of youth voice, te ao Māori and the future of theatre in Aotearoa.
Founder and Artistic Director Kura Te Ua says, “Our rangatahi deserve to be seen, heard and celebrated. Autaia creates space for them to stand confidently in their own light and express who they are and who they are becoming.”
This is also the first year that Waikato students are joining the kaupapa. Each group brings its own unique connection to their community, making this a richly diverse and deeply personal show.
The 2025 line-up features:
Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland)
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hoani Waititi Marae
Ngā Tūmanako o Kahurangi – Auckland Girls’ Grammar
Te Whānau o Tupuranga – Kia Aroha Campus
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori a rohe o Māngere
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Kōtuku
Te Kura Tuarua o Pukekohekohe
Massey High School
Ngā Puna o Waiōrea
Te Tai Tokerau (Northland)
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rāwhitiroa
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Kaikohe
Te Rangi Āniwaniwa
Waikato
Ngā Taiātea Wharekura
Whether you are heading along to support a whānau member or simply want your tamariki to see the power of haka and performance as a living, evolving art form, Autaia 2025 is a night you will not forget.
When, Where and How to Get Tickets
When: Thursday 28 and Friday 29 August 2025: 7pm to 9pm
Where: Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre, Auckland
Tickets: General public sales open Thursday 17 July at 9am via Ticketmaster