the team
Artistic Director / Writer
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Ngai Tahu, Rangitâne, Waikato (whangai)
Tanemahuta Gray graduated from the New Zealand School of Dance in 1994. Having created and staged his first work in 1997, Te Ao Hurihuri—The Changing World, he shifted to London in 1998, where he performed for De La Guarda, one of the world’s leading aerial theatre companies, traveling over five years to Las Vegas, Buenos Aires, Amsterdam, Berlin, Seoul and Sydney. Tane has directed 11 shows and carnivals and performed in two kapa haka national competitions for Ngati Pooneke. He is a senior regional tutor (ahorei) of taiaha under the mantle of Mita Mohi. His performance experience includes Song and Dance, West Side Story, A Midsummer Nights Dream and Hamlet.
Writer & Producer
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Andre holds an honours degree in Law and an Arts degree. He worked as a solicitor for commercial law firm, Chapman Tripp, in Wellington, New Zealand, before traveling to New York City to spend 3 years studying contemporary dance at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. Andre has produced and co-written 3 full-length comedy revues and has performed as a dancer, singer, actor and musician in over 20 theatre productions.
Executive Producer
A New Zealander who has worked in London and New York for the past 12 years. Richard is a graduate in accountancy (Victoria) and law (Canterbury) and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. His studies led him to a professional career in the capital markets and investment management. He has spent the past 10 years as a portfolio manager of international equities, recently launching his own fund, or which he is now Managing Director in London.
Composer
Gareth is well known to New Zealand audiences as one of the country's leading composers. He studied at Auckland University and Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. At the age of 25, he became Chamber Music New Zealand's youngest composer-in-residence. Since then, the NZSO, Auckland Philharmonia, Wellington Sinfonia and New Zealand String Quartet have all performed his works. A skilled drummer, Gareth has brought many Maori and Polynesian influences into his music, illustrated in his work here for maui. Gareth also composed the music for the Royal New Zealand Ballet's 2006 season of The Wedding; and, in the same year, he was awarded the Order of New Zealand Merit for services to music and entertainment.
Choreographer
Ngai Tahu, Rangitaane, Waikato, Scottish, English
Merenia is one of New Zealand's leading choreographers. Since graduating from the New Zealand School of Dance she has choreographed for Wearable Arts and Song and Dance, as well as her own works: Te Mana, Wild Civility, Alchemy, IVE, Hono Tai and Time Turned to Stone which was performed by the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Her experience extends beyond New Zealand, staging works in Hong Kong, Spain, France, Denmark and the United States. In 1992 she toured her solo work Ko Au - The Self, through Sydney, Munich, Seville, Paris and Copenhagen. She also danced for Uppercut Danse Teatre in Copenhagen and Artgenossen in Munich, while in New Zealand she has danced with chorographers Michael Parmenter, Mary Jane O'Reilly, Deidre Tarrant, Paul Jenden, Stephen Bradshaw and Sally Stopforth. A mother of three, it is timely that Merenia and her brother Tanemahuta have combined their rich diversity of choreographic talent and performance experience to help create this show.
Assistant Director / Writer
Since graduating from Queen's University of Belfast in Northern Ireland and completing his Masters in Theatre Directing at Toi Whakaari in 2003, Geoff has directed ten full-length shows, including The Magic Chicken, Join us at Rick's and Happy Hour for Miserable Children with Theatre Beating. The latter show won the New Zealand Fringe Festival award for Best Comedy in 2004.
Set Designer
Tolis brings 20 years' experience to Maui, with over 100 productions to his credit. In that time, he has worked in the USA, Australia, Cyprus and New Zealand. Resident designer and later Director of Production and Design for Downstage Theatre, Tolis' work included set design for Sing Whale: He Apakura Tohora, which was awarded a special UNESCO prize for "Creativity and Innovation" in Prague. His recent work includes the NZ Symphony Orchestra's staged performance of Wagner's opera Parsifal which was performed in the 2006 NZ International Festival.
Costume Designer
Gillie has 20 years' experience in costume design and construction. Her work has featured in television commercials, stage productions and feature films (including Remains of the Day, Room with a View and Out of Africa). She has designed costumes for such diverse clients as the Notting Hill Carnival, the Theatre Royal and London Weekend Television. Since coming to New Zealand, Gillie's work has included Skitz, Cover Story, My Fair Lady, Macbeth, She Stoops to Conquer and The Rivals for which she received her second Chapman Tripp Award for Best Costume Design in 2006.
Lighting Designer
Nominated 10 years running at the Chapman Tripp Theatre awards and awarded four times, Martyn is one of NZ's busiest designers, renowned for his innovative, exciting design. His diverse range of shows include Dark Tourists and Instructions for Modern Living, (seen recently in Auckland Festival 07), the award winning Yours Truly (BATS), Peninsula (Christchurch Festival) and the critically acclaimed designs for Raewyn Hill's White and When Love Comes Calling.
Climbing Director
Jamie originally conceived Maui with Tanemahuta, and has been with the production through until the first world premiere in Wellington. Jamie is one of only a handful of European aerial theatre specialists providing technical direction and safety for various theatre companies worldwide. His expertise is drawm from 19 years of climbing and mountaineering experience in the Alps and United States before working for five years with De La Guarda in London, Las Vegas, Amsterdam, Berlin and Seoul.
Musical Director
Louise completed a BMus in piano performance at Victoria University and finished her Masters at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. She has also spent time learning Italian in Perugia, Italy and studying the art of conducting at Opera Constanta in Romania. Louise has conducted Phantom of the Opera, Westside Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, Little Shop of Horrors and Phantasmic at the Michael Fowler Centre.
Nga Taonga Puoro
Richard is a living authority on traditional Maori instruments, recordings of which Gareth Farr has used in the soundtrack for Maui. His work has been performed in several WOMADs, the World Expo in Brisbane, the Pre-Olympic Dreaming festivals in Sydney and Greece and the Polynesian Music Festival in Rarotonga. Richard has toured with Maori artists: Moana Maniapoto and Deborah Wai Kapohe, and has produced two CDs with Hirini Melbourne: Te Ku Te Whe and Te hekenga-a-Rangi
Production / Company Manager
Clare worked as the production and company manager for the first 2 seasons of Maui until the arrival of her first child Cole. Clare holds arts and law degrees from Victoria University of Wellington. She began her working life as a solicitor for Bell Gully in Wellington before moving to London where she worked as an editor at Freeman Publishing and a legal advisor for Penguin Books. Clare is a part-time freelance writer and, in 2006, co-editor of the literary magazine JAAM. She was assistant Stage Manager for the Maui pilot production and lives with her husband David in Wellington.
Production Manager / Original Partner
Janine was one of the four original partners of "Maui" when the project first got developed in 2001 and she stayed with the partnership until 2004. Janine holds a Commerce degree in Marketing and Management and an Arts degree in Theatre and Film from Victoria University. She has experience in managing projects both within New Zealand and the UK, working with BBC (UK), Fujitsu NZ, Computer Cab (UK) and ACC (NZ).
In addition, Janine has an extensive background in the performing arts, having performed as Sandy in Grease and in Les Miserables, West Side Story and Oklahoma among others. She was a soloist at the London Palladium in 2000.
Currently Janine is a full time secondary teacher of Mathematics, Information Technology and Drama in New Zealand.
Marketing Manager
Ngai Tahu, Rangitaane, Waikato (whaangai), Scottish, English
Nathan completed his honours degree in Law and BA in International Relations at Victoria University after spending a year on Rotary Scholarship in South Africa. Studying at the University of California at Davis, he later worked as a lawyer in Saipan and Alaska, before travelling the world through 50 countries. Communicating in seven languages, Nathan culminated his travels by walking the 4000km length of the Great Wall of China, and writing his first novel "First Pass Under Heaven" which has sold over 5000 copies.
Stage Manager
Mandy took over the role of Stage Manager for Maui from the second season in Christchurch where she has worked for the past 15 years as Stage Manager, Operator and Production Manager. Most of this time in Christchurch has been spent Stage Managing at The Court Theatre working on a wide variety of shows. Mandy also has experience with corporate events, arts festivals and community organisations. Last year, Mandy was the Production Manager for the Showbiz Christchurch season of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, as well as looking after her 2 children.
Stage Manager
John Peterson took time out from a very high powered law job in London to Stage Manage the World Premiere of Maui in 2005. When he is not a Lawyer, John has written, directed and produced theatre that has been performed in New Zealand, Australia and the UK. His most recent play about the trials of Oscar Wilde won Oxford University's Cameron Macintosh Award for Best Play.
Sound Designer
Sought nationwide for his expertise as a sound designer and operator for Redd Acoustics, Glen has 10 years of sound experience and has worked on productions as diverse as Opera in the Park, Les Miserables, 42nd Streeet and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Head of Lighting
Darren has headed the lighting for all 5 seasons of Maui, and has worked as a professional theatre lighting technician since 1994. For the last seven years, he has been Canterbury Opera's head electrician and he has worked extensively with The Court Theatre and with Show Biz Christchurch on such shows as Les Miserables, 42nd Street, Westside Story, Hair, Beauty and the Beast, Rocky Horror, Oliver and Great Expectations.
Head Climber
Nick has been involved in Maui since the pilot season in 2003, in which he was one of the aerial performers. Since discovering that tight fitting costumes and pointed toes weren't his thing, he has moved offstage to the role of Climber, and for this season Nick heads the climbing team.
Maui
Ngati Whatua, Ngati Hine, Nga Puhi, Irish - Avalon Clan
Tupu Te Toi, Whanake Te Toi, He Toi Ora I Ahu Mai I Hawaiki.
Tamati started his career in theatre and dance as a sunflower in a Glenbrae Primary School Production in Glen Innes. Having enjoyed many other roles in his dramatic schooling career, Tamati moved on to land parts in television and film productions such as Shortland Street and The Piano. Graduating from Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School in 1995, Tamati has played many other roles since; in TV for Mercy Peak, Mataku, Xena Warrior Princess, The Lost World, and in theatre productions such as The Song Maker's Chair and Coriolanus. Tamati accredits much of his valued performance experience to Te Rakau Hua o te Wao Tapu; Jim Moriarty's reknowned Marae Theatre Troupe. Currently working for Maori Television on Korero Mai, Tamati also finds time to study, develop and produce various Storytelling artforms; from television documentary to live street performances. Tamati would like to dedicate his performance of 'Maui' to the Song Birds in his life: Veeshayne, Mum, Ngaraiti and Iohanna..."all my love". To the Toki and fellow adzes, Uncle Noel, Korihi and Haia..."I know you got my back".
No reira ki a koutou te pokai tara i karapinepine mai, nau mai, haere mai, whakangahau mai ra.
Hine-Nui-Te-Poo, Taranga
Ngaati Kahungungu, Rongowhakaata, Lebanese, German, Scandanavian, Irish
Toni has been with Maui since its pilot production in 2003 and the 5 seasons following. Described by reviewers as 'powerful and gripping', 'a visual and aural delight' and as providing a 'haunting experience', Toni Huata is an accomplished singer and performer who extends cultural and creative boundaries. Her stunning voice weaves many musical styles, reflecting her deep cultural and spiritual roots. Toni features on various compilation albums and has two solo albums of her own: Te Maori E and Mauri Too to her credit. She has toured throughout Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and the Pacific headlining at World Music Festivals, clubs, theatres and indigenous health events. Her highlights include being the first Maori language artist to headline at the world renowned Ronnie Scotts in London and supporting the Neville Brothers. She is grateful for the wonderful life experience that her music has offered. Toni is also a tutor in voice and stage craft, a health facilitator, cultural motivator, voice-over artist, director, producer, wife and mother. Look out for her next album on www.tonihuata.com
Tama-Nui-Te-Ra / Mua (Elder brother)
Ngaati Porou, Ngai Tuhoe
Te Kohe joined Maui in the second season in Christchurch and most recently the North Island Tour. He is a Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School graduate in 2004. His recent credits include the AK05 season of Strata, produced by Taki-Rua and the short film Tama Tu, directed by Oscar nominee Taika (Waititi) Cohen. Te Kohe directed Nga Manu Roreka for Takirua's 2006 Te Reo Maori Season. Most recently, he appeared in the AK07 season of Penumbra; and he is performing in the big rugby ball in Paris for the Rugby World Cup.
Taranga
Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Tuhoe, Ngaati Oneone
Mere performed in both the Wellington and Christchurch seasons of Maui. She is a singer and actress and has appeared in feature films such as Once Were Warriors, The Piano and television dramas, Nga Wahine, William Colenso - At the Risk of Our Lives and Aroha. Her theatrical experience includes performing in Takitoru at Downstage, singing in Michael Parmenter's dance opera Jerusalem and in Dem Damn Dames at Bats Theatre. Last year she toured with Lemi Ponafasio's Mau Dance Company to perform in Vienna and Brussels. Mere has completed her first CD, Waikohu, and her opera productions include Carmen and Norma.
Tama-Nui-Te-Ra
Te Arawa, Ngaati Raukawa, Ngaati Toa, Ngaati Koata
Toa performed in the Wellington and Christchurch seasons of Maui. He completed a BA in Maaori Performing Arts in 2004 through Te Wananga o Aotearoa and has trained at Toi Whakaari. Toa's television experience includes Mataku, Shortland Street, Small Town Blues, Shark in the Park and Young Hercules. He has also featured in the films Crooked Earth, What Becomes of the Broken Hearted, and, most recently, King Kong. His theatre experience includes working with Jim Moriarty on Once Were Warriors, Te Timatanga Hou and Whatungarongaro. Toa has recently established his own film company, Arotoa Productions, to produce documentaries, short films and his current feature screenplay "Aro".
Taranga
Ngaati Kahungungu, Rongomai Wahine, Ngaati Hinemanu
Kirsten joined Maui for the North Island Tour of 2007. She will be a familiar face from her role as the frontwoman on the New Zealand Automobile Association TV ads. She is a performer with a diverse range of skills, as a singer, actress and song-writer. She has performed for Downstage Theatre in The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Little Shop of Horrors. Other musicals she's performed in include 42nd Street and My Fair Lady, as well as the national tour of Once Were Warriors - The Musical. Last year, Kirsten toured overseas with Disney's Lion King in Shanghai; and she is currently working on her own R&B album, due for release later this year.
Maui / Pae (brother) / Dance ensemble
Ngaati Apa, Taranaki
Jason has been with Maui since the World Premiere in Wellington in 2005 covering a multitude of roles including Maui. He has acted, danced, choreographed and sung in a variety of shows, including NZ idol I & II, Karaoke High, The World of Wearable Arts and a regular fitness segment on Good Morning for TVNZ. He has starred in the world tour of Boogie Nights (Stetson Productions), Rocky Horror Show, Hair, Caligula (ATC), Little Shop of Horrors (Downstage), Smokey Joe's Cafe (Marshall Stack Productions) and live variety shows: Fight for Life, McDonalds Circus X and Coca Cola Christmas in the Park for TV3. He also teaches jazz and hip hop regularly around the country and sings with his Motown Band Soul Estate. He has recently joined the Australian tour of Miss Saigon where he is covering 17 roles in the production.
Hine-Nui-Te-Poo, Dance Ensemble
Ngaati Hine me ngaati Kahungungu
Olivia has been with Maui since the pilot production in 2003. A graduate of Toi Whakaari: The New Zealand Drama School, Olivia has appeared in theatre, film, radio and television productions all across New Zealand. Her recent work included the Downstage production of Nga Tangata Toa, written by Hone Kouka. Olivia has appeared in the television series Mataku and, in theatre, she has performed in Takirua's Te Reo Maaori season and the Chapman Tripp award winning plays Enemy of the People and On the Razzle. Kia Nikora - taku kurupounamu, taku kahurangi, kei to manawa ka piri ai au mo ake tonu atu, ko au ko koe, ko koe ko au.
Mua / Roto / Taha (Brothers)
Ngaati Toa Rangatira, Ngaati Whatua
Te Puoho first performed in Maui with the pilot production in 2003, but took a break from the North Island Tour in 2007 so he could complete his degree at Victoria University which had been postponed 2 years due to Maui commitments. Te Puoho is a man of many talents. An ex-head boy of Wellington College (one of three in the cast), Te Puoho has graduated in Marine Biology and Maaori Studies. He is also a gridiron representative for Wellington and New Zealand.
Roto (brother) / Kapa Haka Choreographer
Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Te Rarawa, Te Whakatohea, Tuhoe, Te Aupouri, Te Whanau a Apanui
Kereama joined Maui in the Wellington world premiere in 2005, and has played a major role in developing the kapa haka choreography ever since. He is a founding member of the urban Maaori dance troop Torotoro, as well as a member of Te Waka Huia. He was the 2003 kyokushin karate weapons kata champion and is the founder of Aotearoa Haka Battlez. Kereama presented I Roam NZ for TV2. His vision is to take professional Haka to new and exciting places, breaking boundaries and challenging tradition, but still holding strong to tikanga Maaori me nga taonga tuku iho. Mahaki hard!
Taha / Pae / Roto (Brothers)
Jacob has been with Maui since the world premiere in Wellington for the full 5 seasons and is an actor from Glen Innes who has performed all over Aotearoa. Most recently, he has been working with Taki Rua Theatre, touring Ngaa Manu Rooreka as part of the Reo Maori season, and in the feature films Break and Jinx Sister. He is also a writer, a hiphop engineer, and has aspirations to become a pro-wrestling champion.
Ahakoa te mahi, ma te upoko pakaru te karawhiu.
Pae (Brother)
Ngaati Whanaunga, Ngaati Tuwharetoa
Jarod performed in the pilot production and world premiere of Maui. Trained at Toi Whakaari, Jarod has worked on various film, theatre and television series, including Mataku, Tama Tu and The Prophet. Nominated as best newcomer at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards, Jarod currently plays a role in the Maori Television series Korero Mai.
Pae (Brother)
Tonga
Michael performed in the second season of Maui in Christchurch in 2006. Born and raised in Tonga, Michael moved to New Zealand in 2000 and, in 2003, he completed his UNITEC BA majoring in Acting. Since graduating he has had theatrical roles in House Across Oceans, Goldenboys, Sex With Strangers and Dianna Fuemana's My Mothers Dreaming. He has also worked on TV3's Outrageous Fortune and Rude Awakenings and has two feature films in production. He is currently enjoying the challenge of swapping cultures and playing Maui's youngest older brother.
Mua / Roto (Brothers)
Tuhoe, Te Rarawa, Ngati Kahungungu
Matu joined Maui for the North Island tour in 2007. With a BA in Performing Arts from Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School, Matu is an actor and voice artist who believes in the Arts as a means of challenging the self, and engaging communities towards social change. A proud new-comer to the Maui whanau, Matu grew up performing with Ngati Pooneke Young Maori Club and Tuhoe haka group, Tu te Maungaroa. Since graduating from drama school, Matu has worked in theatre and on television. His theatre credits include Sweet Charity (ATC), Cymbeline (Silo), Stark Night Cabaret (AK05), Romeo & Juliet (Downstage), Whakaahuatia Mai (Takirua) and the title role in Othello for both Centrepoint Theatre and VUW Summer Shakespeare. Television credits include Tu te Puehu, Kiwifruit and the Taonga series.
Taha (Brother) / Aerialist / Dancer (Ensemble)
Tuhoe, Irish, English, Welsh, Spanish, Gypsy
Maaka has worked in the performing arts for over 10 years in companies such as Black Grace, Taiao, Atamira Dance Collective, Auckland Dance Company and Touch Compass Dance. He has choreographed and directed for theatre, film and television in the States, Australia and New Zealand, including Whale Rider - The Musical, Maori Merchant of Venice, and Whakaoho, as well as appearing in over 10 music videos. The NZ Listener named his latest work, Memoirs of Active Service, the Best New Work by an emerging contemporary choreographer in 2006.
Aerialist / Dancer (ensemble)
Sacha has been with Maui from the pilot production in 2003. A New Zealand School of Dance graduate in 2002, Sacha promptly founded Java Dance Company, which has since produced Espresso, Rush Hour, Snapshots and Itchy Feet, as well as Giraffes Can't Dance and the Animal Undie Ball. In addition to choreograhping for Java, Sacha also choreographs for theatre, where her credits include A Midsummer Night's Dream (Circa 2005), Much Ado About Nothing (Summer Shakespeare 2005) and The Platinum Connection (2004). Sacha is proud to have been part of Maui since the pilot production.
Aerialist
Pipi has been with Maui since the pilot production in 2003. She trained in theatre and circus skills at Otago University, CircoArts and with Pan Theatre in France. Pipi has performed extensively both in New Zealand and internationally, including as a stilt walker with Empress Stilt Dance (who performed in Hong Kong for Chinese New Year) and award-winning fringe festival shows: Heavenly Burlesque, Zircus Goes Birzurkus and Operation of the Sun. Pipi is a member of the Ake Ake Theatre Company, which recently performed Ship Song in the Capital E National Arts Festival for children.
Aerialist
Jenny has been with Maui since the pilot production in 2003. From humble beginnings as a postulant in a local production of The Sound of Music, Jenny has abandoned the habit of walking for dancing in the air. Trained in Circus Arts, she has performed her aerial works throughout New Zealand, Australia and the Cook Islands, as well as being selected for a training workshop for Cirque de Soleil on their recent NZ tour of Varekai.
Aerialist
Alex has been with Maui since its pilot production in 2003. She has performed in physical theatre for almost twenty years, founding the first large-image stilt theatre company in Australasia. Training in web, bungee, tissue, straps and aerial ring at the Circo Arts School in Christchurch, she has performed in Wearable Arts, The Sky City New Year's, for international circus sensation Weber Bros and for Sydney's Stalker Theatre Company, where she performed the highly spectacular aerial catapult. She is currrently employed as an aerial tutor at Circo Arts.
Aerialist / Dancer (ensemble)
Claire has performed in all 5 seasons of Maui since 2005. She completed her bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts degree at Unitec, majoring in contemporary dance. Since graduating, she has worked with Raewyn Hill's Soapbox Productions, performing and touring Angels with Dirty Feet and White. She has also worked with Carol Brown, Merenia Gray, Kristian Larsen, Guy Ryan, Vicky Kapo, Lyne Pringle and Sarah Sproull; and was most recently onstage in A Clockwork Orange in Auckland. Claire was recently offered a danceWEB scholarship to attend Impulstanz Festival in Vienna, Austria earlier this year.
Aerialist
Ngaati Raukawa, Ngaati Tukorehe
Dolina performed in the world Premiere of Maui in Wellington, before having her second child "Huia" with fellow cast member Jarod Rawiri. Dolina graduated from UNITEC in 1995, and has performed for a plethora of dance companies, including Limbs Retrospective, Touch Compass Dance Trust, Ahiwai, Curve Dance Collective, Black Grace, Merenia Gray Dance Theatre, the NBR NZ Opera and the 9th Festival of Pacific Art in Palau. A founding member of Atamira Dance Collective, she was named "Best Female Contemporary Dancer" in 2003 by the NZ Listener.
Dancer / Aerialist
Te Arawa, Ngaati Raukawa, Kai Tahu
Tai is the most experienced member of the Maui cast with over twenty years in contemporary dance. He joined Maui for the world premiere in Wellington in 2005 and has performed in all seasons since then. Trained at the New Zealand School of Dance, he joined Limbs Dance Company until 1989, before later becoming a founding member of Black Grace. In 2005, Tai was involved with the launching of Porche 911, Motorola V3 Mobile Phones, and as a featured dancer in Peter Jackson's blockbuster film King Kong. He also performed with Michael Parmenter's 2005 Retrospective season. 2005 ended with Tai dancing for the World of Wearable Arts Awards, the Trash to Fashion awards and with "Glory Hole" a queer, multi-media flesh circus. In 2006, Tai returned to contemporary dance, joining Douglas Wright's production of Black Milk, which toured New Zealand and the Sydney Opera House. He also returned to WOW, not only as a dancer, but also as a choreographer for the South Pacific section of the Awards. With his dancing partner of many years, Taane Mete, Tai is in the midst of creating a full-length work to premiere in New Zealand in 2008.
Dancer / Aerialist
Ngaati Porou, Nga Puhi
Jack joined Maui from the second major season in Christchurch in 2006. He is also a choreographer who directs his own dance company. He also teaches, reviews and produces dance. He has received several prestigious dance scholarships to attend international dance festivals and workshops with other young choreographers and dancers, such as DanceWEB 2001 at the Impulstanz Festival in Austria, Atelier du Monde 2002 (Workshop of the world) at the Montpellier Dance Festival, and the Asia-Pacific Young Choreographer Project 2005 in Taiwan. Jack has been a founding member of two dance companies, including Atamira Dance Collective in 2000, with which he still maintains a relationship as a freelance dancer for different projects, and Jack Gray Dance in 2003, which is his own choreographic platform.
Aerialist / Dancer
Te Ati Awa
Jason performed in the World Premiere of Maui in Wellington in 2005. Ever since graduating at the New Zealand School of Dance, Jason has enjoyed an extensive international career in dance, musical theatre, drama, film, television, teaching and choreography, primarily based in Sydney. He has worked with leading choreographers, including Graeme Murphy, Rosetta Cook, Garth Welch, Mary-Jane O'Reilly, and theatre directors Neil Armfield, Jo-Anne Robinson and Noel Tovey.
Dancer / Aerialist
Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Ngai Tuhoe, Te Whakatohea
Kura has performed with Maui since the world premier in Wellington in 2005. A recent graduate of Pounamu Performing Arts and holding a Performing Arts Degree from the University of Auckland, Kura is also a member of Atamira Dance Collective. Early this year, Kura performed in a successful Te Matatini national kapa haka festival with Te Waka Huia. Travelling extensively as a Maori Ambassador of Aotearoa, Kura's passion for dance and kapa haka led her to Maui.
Dancer / Aerialist
Ngaai Tuuhoe, Te Whaanau aa Apanui, Ngaati Kahungungu, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Te Whakatoohea, Ngaati Ruapani, Rongowhakaata
Tuirina has been with Maui since the World premiere in 2005. She has performed Kapa Haka her whole life and is a member of Te Waka Huia. Tuirina performed in the stage production of The Whale Rider in 2004. In 2005, she featured in Kofi Annan's Voices of the World; and in 2007 she led Manu Huia to Te Matatini, to perform in the National Kapa Haka Championships.
Dancer
Liana joined Maui for the Christchurch season in 2006 and the North Island Tour in 2007. In 2000, she graduated from Unitec with a degree in Contemporary Dance. She is based in Auckland and has worked with many choreographers in various styles, such as Sean Curham (Bedrock), Alexa Wilson (The Collection), Black Grace & Friends, Malia Johnston (Miniatures), New Zealand Dance Theatre (Queen Camel, Death of a Bull Fighter), Curve Dance Collective (Signed). She was named Best Female Contemporary Dancer for 2006 by The Listener and is currently working on her first choreography.
Dancer
Te Mahurehure o Nga Puhi nui tonu, Ngaati Hine
Carrie has been with Maui since the Christchurch season in 2006. Born and raised in Motueka, she started learning tap, jazz and ballet at a young age, and was a member of Maori and kapa haka classes througout her schooling. She now has over 15 years dancing experience, including extensive competition work throughout New Zealand and Australia. Carrie gained a Commercial Dance Diploma at Wellington Performing Arts Centre in 2004, during which time she also danced for the Hurricanes cheerleading team. Carrie has just finished choreographing for the Tasman Mako Dancers in the Air New Zealand Rugby Cup competition.
Dancer
Ngaati Rehia
Justine graduated from the New Zealand School of Dance in 1995 and has freelanced since then in companies such as Atamira Dance Collective, Auckland Dance Company and Mau. She has also performed in film and on television, including the Maaori Merchant of Venice by He Taonga Films. Justine currently works for Te Puni Kookiri Tamaki Makau Rau.
Dancer
Alice performed in the World Premiere of Maui in Wellington in 2005, before having her second child. She graduated from the NZ School of Dance in 1988 and has since focused on extreme physical theatre and aerial circus skills. A member of Ake Ake Theatre Company, she recently appeared in the critically acclaimed; Our Secret Garden and Kohu, as well as Flying through the Frickin' Air and Paua Girls for her own company Kiwi Circus Adventures. Alice is grateful for the support of her 14 year old daughter Rosea.
Climber
Kester has been with Maui since the World Premiere in Wellington in 2005. He graduated from Victoria University with a degree in Theatre and Film. He brings five years of industrial rope access work, together with extensive recreational climbing experience to his role in aerial theatre for Maui.
Climber
Tom has been with Maui since the Christchurch season in 2006. Since attaining his philosophy degree from Canterbury University, Tom has concentrated on rock climbing with an obsessive focus. Tom filled the gap between Maui tours' by sampling the finest European limestone. He is currently working on his first novel.
Climber
Aaron joined Maui on the North Island Tour in 2007. He has been in the entertainment industry for approximately four years and specialises in rigging and climbing work. Recent highlights include rigging on both the Rolling Stones and U2 concerts, and for Cirque du Soleil. Originally from Christchurch, but now residing in Auckland, Aaron enjoys getting outdoors on 4WD adventures, camping, tramping and mountain cycling.
Climber (Head)
Kevin joined Maui for the Christchurch season coming out from London to lead the climbing team for that season. Born in Kenya, Kevin worked for seven years on the world's most extreme aerial theatre show, De La Guarda, with responsibility for aerials and installations over eight international tours (London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Tokyo, Tel-Aviv, Sydney, Milan and Lisbon). Kevin has worked as an aerial safelty consultant for other theatrical productions throughout the world. A veteran of lightweight alpine expeditions to remote regions in all the world's greater ranges, Kevin has over 25 years' climbing experience. He is Africa's most experienced mountain guide with 26 ascents of Mount Kilimanjaro. Kevin has worked on television documentaries and as a walking safari guide all over East Africa.
Climber
Adam came out from London to act as a climber in the World premier of Maui. Previously, Adam was in charge of the equipment division for Europe's largest expedition company, Jagged Globe, who were involved in the BBC's expedition to Everest on Hillary's 50th anniversary. He has climbed walls in Yosemite, Utah, and made Alpine ascents in the European Alps, as well as the Yorkshire Gritstone. His theatre experience includes Edinburgh Festival and Aerialistic in Los Angeles.
Climber
Sandy came out from London to be a climber for the World Premiere in Wellington. Sandy has climbed some of the world's highest peaks in Patagonia, the Himalayas and the sheer ascents of the Alps, including the Matterhorn and the north face of the Eiger. He has worked in movie stunt work for Mission Impossible II, Shackleton and Killing Me Softly.
Climber
Dave was a climber in the Christchurch season of Maui in 2006. He studied for his diploma in Adventure Leadership at CPIT and has six years' climbing experience. With a background in adventure instruction and guiding, including climbing, surfing, river surfing and tramping, Dave is passionate about the outdoors. His interests include snowboarding, kayaking and mountain-biking. He has a great exuberance for life and is at his happiest when he's out in the wilderness.
Climber
Sam was a climber for the Christchurch season of Maui in 2006. He trained at Circo Arts at CPIT in Christchurch, specialising in German Wheel, aerial straps and fly trapeze. He has worked for five years with Webber Brothers circus touring New Zealand and has taught in Australia, Hong Kong and Japan. Sam competed in the 2005 television series The Summit where he was affectionately known as "Circus Sam".
Crew / Climber
Craig worked on the pilot of Maui in 2003, and on the North Island Tour started to train as a climber. Craig has worked as a stage hand in both professional and amateur shows for the past 17 years, specializing as a fly-man and mechanist. His theatre work has led him to touch almost every aspect of the technical crafts.
Technical Director
Simon has been with Maui from the pilot production in 2003 until the Christchurch season in 2006. He has provided technical services to the theatre and entertainment industry as Managing Director of Stage Right Limited. Simon has been working full-time in theatre since 1993, when he graduated from Caterbury University. He has been Head Mechanist for Canterbury Opera since 1997 and was appointed their Technical Manager in 2002. He has been Technical Manager for the Theatre Royal in Christchurch from 1998 - 2006.
Head Mechanist
Andrew worked on the pilot production of Maui in 2003 and on last year's Christchurch season, before joining the North Island tour as Head Mechanist. Andrew moves around the country as mechanist or rigger on a variety of shows, such as the Wearable Arts Awards, Wellington International Arts Festival and Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Andrew has toured extensively with the Royal NZ Ballet and worked on the UK tour of Romeo and Juliet. He was technical manager for the Christchurch Arts Festival and works for Metro Productions.
Sound Operator
Ben has operated the World premiere in Wellington and the North Island Tour of Maui. He has been involved in the theatre industry for the past four years. He currently works as a sound engineer for Redd Accoustics in Christchurch, doing concerts such as Starry Nights and those staged by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, as well as theatre shows. Ben operated sound for the national tour of Once Were Warriors. He has also operated The Rocky Horror Show for Christchurch's Court Theatre and My Fair Lady in Napier.
Crew
Sam has crewed for Maui since the Christchurch season in 2006. Sam's love of lighting and all things backstage started at school with shows for Stratford On Stage and New Plymouth Operatic, before he moved to Christchurch where his love and skills in theatre were further enhanced. He has since worked on such theatre productions as Les Miserables and 42nd Street, as well as shows such as Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Tool. Sam has worked for The Light Site in Christchurch since 2002, lighting shows, corporate events and launches.
Crew / Sound
Sam has worked on Maui since the Christchurch season in 2006. He has been working as a semi-professional stage hand in sounds for over a year, working on shows like Beauty and the Beast (Showbiz Christchurch). Recently, Dan has been working towards establishing his own sound and lighting business, 62 Entertainment.
Crew
Melinda joined Maui for the North Island Tour in 2007. She graduated from Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School in 2002 with a diploma in Technical Production. She has since worked as a casual technician in Wellington on shows ranging from Jesus Christ Superstar (Opera House) to Espresso (BATS Theatre). In 2004 she moved to Auckland, where she has worked installing theatrical rigging systems and as a mechanist for The Edge. Between shows Melinda is attempting to complete a BA at Auckland University.
Props / Crew
Tim lives most of the year in London, working hard in non-theatrical pursuits. However, he has been part of the Maui whanau from the pilot production and has made four flights around the world just to work on Maui. Since its world premiere in 2005, Tim has sourced, managed and helped to contstruct the show's props, plus undertaken crew requirements to maintain the tight numbers backstage to run this sizeable show.
Wardrobe
Zoe has been a part of all the shows of Maui since the World Premiere in 2005 including playing a major role in the building of the costumes. Since moving back from Australia about four years ago, Zoe has become heavily involved in the theatre community as a costumier. She has designed shows for Downstage Theatre (Mum's Choir and Nga Tangata Toa) and BATS Theatre (Albert Speer, Look Back in Anger and Yours Truly), as well as taking on positions such as costume coordinator for the New Zealand International arts festival. Zoe also works in the film industry as a designer and costume maker.
Wardrobe
Sarah was part of the wardrobe team and building the costumes since the world premiere of Maui in 2005. She completed a diploma in fashion design in 1999 and has worked as a free-lance costumier based in Wellington. Her work features costumes for theatre, including for the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Wearable Arts and Maui. Before the 2007 tour of Maui, she had just completed the Royal New Zealand Ballet's Tutus on Tour.