Te Pou Theatre’s much-loved Kōanga Festival took an exciting new direction this year, giving rangatahi full creative control of the outdoor stage at Whānau Day. The annual festival is a cornerstone of West Auckland’s arts calendar, celebrating local stories and the richness of performing arts. Whānau Day is always a highlight, and this year, it became a platform for emerging young talent to step into the spotlight.
For the first time in the festival’s history, rangatahi curated and delivered their own outdoor-stage programme. Amber Curreen, Poutoko Whānau at Te Pou Theatre, says the breakthrough moment marked a meaningful shift. ‘The rangatahi-curated and focused main stage at Whānau Day provided an exciting opportunity for the next generation of West Auckland creatives, artists, and musicians.’ At the heart of the initiative was West Auckland creative Kevin Vave, who took on the role of rangatahi programmer. Kevin pulled together a vibrant lineup of DJs, hip-hop artists, and musicians, creating space for local talent to shine and shaping the day with an energy that reflected his community.
This opportunity also offered Kevin valuable hands-on professional development. Working alongside the Te Pou team, he built industry networks, grew his leadership skills, and gained insight into the behind-the-scenes work that brings a major event to life. Kevin says the experience was both inspiring and rewarding. ‘It was a new and great experience for me. I loved gathering the crew and building relationships with them.’ The atmosphere on the day, he says, was a standout. ‘I felt a wholesome feeling throughout the whole event, people gathered and mixed together, friends, strangers, everybody just having a great time.’
Amber says the initiative reflects Te Pou Theatre’s ongoing commitment to empowering rangatahi and creating pathways for young Māori and diverse artists to take on leadership roles in the arts. ‘By providing a supported environment, we are ensuring that the next generation has the tools, experience, and confidence to carve their own creative path.’ The project was made possible thanks to $5,000 from the Your West Innovation Fund. The funding was significant, advises Amber, because it helped ensure that young people were not just participants but also decision-makers in shaping their artistic futures. Whānau Day and the Kōanga Festival are just part of Te Pou Theatre’s dynamic programme of events, shows, workshops, and more.
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