Kia Mau
The biennial trail-blazing indigenous arts festival is back for 2023
Fast becoming one of the world’s most highly-regarded contemporary indigenous arts festivals, Kia Mau returns in June for an action-packed two weeks. Continuing with its emphasis on uplifting artists, this year’s celebration includes powerful theatre, a hip-hop musical, traditional dance made contemporary, live music, and visual arts.
Now in its seventh iteration, Kia Mau founders Hone Kouka and Mīria George have curated a diverse programme celebrating the best of Aotearoa’s creative talent. The 2023 version casts its net wide with performers and companies from the Pacific, Canada, Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, Ōtepoti/Dunedin, along with people from Te Ūpoko O Te Ika A Māui/Wellington region.
This year’s Kia Mau Festival is centred on reconnection and strengthening the bonds with indigenous artists around the Pacific rim. “Through Kia Mau, artists gain access to a festival that serves and nurtures them throughout the creative process, thereby building capabilities and in turn, strengthening and diversifying the Aotearoa arts sector by uplifting Māori, Pasifika, and Indigenous artists,” says Mīria George.
2023 Kia Mau Programme
