Kōanga Festival 2026: Playwrights Programme Tono

“Ka tangi te pīpīwharauroa, ko te karere a Mahuru”

Kōanga is heralded by the blossoming of the kōwhai and the call of the pīpīwharauroa as it returns to our shores. This is traditionally a time of joining together and combining efforts to prepare the ground and plant for the next harvest. We see this festival as a platform to prepare the fertile ground of our Auckland Māori Theatre community.

“Te Piko o Whakaaro, Te Tupu o te Whakaari, Tākiritia!”

Te Pou Theatre’s annual Kōanga Festival programme includes script development, a workshop and live readings, working with emerging and established playwrights. Since 2015, the Kōanga Playwright Programme has supported 44 plays and 51 kaituhi. Many plays have gone on to be presented in later seasons at Te Pou Theatre, at national festivals and independent professional shows.

2026 Playwrights Programme Overview

The Playwright Programme is the beating heart of Kōanga Festival – it’s a special time to support new stories from our incredible playwrights. In 2026, we’re offering three playwrights a three-month script development period, culminating in a one-week workshop at Te Pou Theatre. This round, we have 1 spot specifically for a Rangatahi writer (18 – 34 years) and two for any age and experience level. 

Playwrights will spend June – September 2026 developing their scripts for a rehearsed live reading in September as part of our Kōanga Festival 2026. Over the three month time frame, writers will meet regularly online as a rōpu, with dramaturg and script advisors to support, motivate and provide expertise. Script writing mentorship will be provided by Victor Rodger ONZM, with 1:1 dramaturgy sessions from Amber Curreen & Tainui Tukiwaho. 

The Opportunity
Each selected play will be developed over a three-month (12 week) period and presented during Kōanga Festival 2026 at Te Pou Theatre.

Script Development Programme: A 12-week writing and research period with 1:1 dramaturgy sessions with Amber Curreen & Tainui Tukiwaho and bi-weekly rōpū hui online with script writing mentor Victor Rodger ONZM.

Script Workshop: A five-day workshop with dramaturge, director and actor/s arranged by Te Pou Theatre.

Your play will be read at a Kōanga Festival 2026 hosted event at Te Pou Theatre.

Total writers stipend of NZD $3,000 including the development and week-long workshop.

Te Pou Theatre team will consult with you about how to further progress your play following the workshop.

Conditions / Requirements:

• This programme supports Māori playwrights at any level of experience (yes, even if you’ve never written before or have plenty under your belt – we’ll cater to your needs). This year, we have one dedicated Rangatahi spots (18-34) and two for any age and experience level. 
• Stage plays need to be intended for professional presentation in a theatre context
• Plays must not have had any prior presentation season 
• Commit a first draft at the start of the mentorship sessions (Fri 05 June) and to further develop and refine your concept and script over the three month development period, resulting in a public facing reading in September. (Breakdown of commitment dates below.)
• Be open to changing and adapting your script during the workshop period based on feedback.
• Auckland based or Northland based is a priority for Te Pou Theatre. However, if not Auckland based you must be able to travel and organise your own accommodation in Tāmaki Makaurau over the workshop period in September.

Applications open: Rāapa 28 January 2026. See back here for the application link.

Applications due: 11.59pm on Rātapu 15 March 2026

Application will need to include:

• Draft script OR
• A full synopsis and at least 3x written scenes.