Thanks to the support of the Citi Foundation’s Global Innovation Challenge for Youth Employability, Te Pou Theatre is proud to establish a kaupapa Māori-based internship programme.
The AKO Pia Programme is designed to strengthen the Māori performing arts workforce by addressing critical industry gaps. We are nurturing the next generation of cultural and creative leadership by providing practical skills, increasing employability, and offering a supportive path into the arts sector.
Six rangatahi Māori (aged 18–26) will join our whānau for a structured, 15-week paid internship.
Participants will train within a tikanga Māori environment, supported by Te Pou kaimahi and expert industry mentors. They will gain first-hand experience through targeted wānanga, work placements, and the delivery of a major festival.
Applicants will choose one of two paths (3 spaces available per stream):
– Producing: Focus on marketing, project coordination, budgeting, financial literacy, and creative producing.
– Technical: Get hands-on with lighting, sound design, venue tech, and safety. (Note: Potential for additional internship weeks may be available via external funding)
The 15-week journey is broken down into four intensive phases:
Phase 1: Induction & Foundational Wānanga (Weeks 1–3)
– Pōwhiri, whakawhanaungatanga, and an introduction to Ngā mahi a Rēhia.
– Daily workshops covering the “big picture” of the industry: from Directing and Dramaturgy to Budgeting and Safety.
Phase 2: In-Organisation Internship (Weeks 4–8)
– Embedded within Te Pou operations working on real-world projects.
– Mentorship-based learning with ongoing pastoral care and skill tracking.
Phase 3: Project Delivery & Reflection (Weeks 9–12)
– The Big Event: Hands-on delivery of the Kōanga Festival 2026.
– Closing: Reflective learning sessions followed by a Pō Whakamanawa (graduation).
Phase 4: Industry Placement (Weeks 13–15)
– Three weeks of in-work secondment with Aotearoa-wide or International Indigenous organisations.
If you have any questions about the AKO Pia Programme, then feel free to get in contact by emailing us on info@tepoutheatre.nz
The performing arts in Aotearoa represent far more than a simple stage for expression; it serves as a vital engine for social and economic transformation.
At a time when youth unemployment figures present a daunting challenge to our communities, Te Ao Whakaari provides a strategic and vibrant alternative to the traditional workforce. This isn’t just about the applause, it’s about equipping our rangatahi with the high-level communication, discipline, and technical skills that are increasingly demanded in a global creative economy.
The AKO Pia Pilot Programme provides a structured pathway into the arts. We are empowering young people to pivot away from systemic uncertainty and step into a spotlight that values their unique cultural identity. For rangatahi Māori in particular, this is a chance to reclaim their narratives and turn their inherent creative strengths into sustainable, professional careers.
We aim to cultivate a new generation of resilient leaders within Te Ao Whakaari who are prepared to redefine success on their own terms and lead their whānau into a more prosperous future.
