Basement Theatre: Story-telling has a long and proud tradition in Aotearoa and the Pacific where there exists an extensive back catalogue of literature written by Pacific and Maori pioneers which has been left unspoken and unshared in performance venues. Until now, that is. As part of the annual Matariki Festival, current Māori and Pacific stage and screen personalities are breathing the past into the present. Mia Blake, Nicola Kawana, Rawiri Paratene, Heto Ah Hi and Shimpal Lelisi are among the guides helping to revive words and stories left unsaid for too long. Join them for an evening that builds upon the increasing popularity of spoken word poetry.
Upu Mai Whetū, Basement Theatre, until Saturday
ASB Waterfront Theatre: Te Waka Huia and Waihīrere have held the Te Matatini Kapa Haka national title an impressive 11 times between them. How good are they? You can check out them out, along with some of Aoteaora's other leading kapa haka exponents, on Saturday in a showcase that highlights and celebrates wāhine toa. Before or after the show, check out the kapa haka lightbox installation featuring vivid images of kaihaka wāhine (female performers).
Te Taumata Kapa Haka - Wāhine Toa, ASB Waterfront Theatre, Saturday
The Civic: In May, some 556 teams of film-makers spent 48 hours doing their utmost to make an award-winning flick. Everything - the writing, filming, editing, adding a soundtrack - had to be done between 7pm, Friday, May 11 and 7pm, Sunday, May 13; now it's D-Day for participants in the country's largest guerrilla film-making competition. Fifteen finalists, and three Peter Jackson wildcards, will screen before the grand champion is named. Expect monsters, romance, time travel, comedy and possibly a numb bottom given the screenings and ceremony go for four hours.
2018 HP48 Grand Final, The Civic, Saturday
Point Chevalier RSA: Tomorrow is your last chance to see some of New Zealand's most talented wāhine in one place. The legendary Annie Crummer, Betty-Anne Monga, Maisey Rika and Ria Hall have joined forces for Matariki on the Move: Waiata. This series of gigs has seen these four talents perform together as Kāhui Whetū, in honour of Matariki and in recognition of the 125th anniversary of women's suffrage in New Zealand, and their final show is tomorrow at Point Chevalier RSA. Entry is free and seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.
Matariki on the Move: Waiata, Point Chevalier RSA, Friday
