TONO MAI! Creative Residency Applications Are Now Open!
Exciting artistic opportunity to come and create new mahi whakaari at Te Pou Theatre.
Our Creative Residencies Programme returns for 2027, but this time with three (3) residencies available, see below for the details:
ROUND 1
1 x Local Nohonga residency for two (2) weeks, $8K stipend and $1K technical budget.
1 x National residency for one (1) week, $6K stipend, $1K technical budget, and travel support, accom & per diems for up to two (2) artists.
ROUND 2
1 x International Indigenous Exchange Residency (Australia/Pacific) for (1) week, an exchange opportunity for two (2) Indigenous artists from Australia or the Pacific. Includes a $6K stipend, technical budget, travel support, accommodation and per diems.
2026 Nohonga Resident – Raureti Ormond & collaborators pictured after their showcase.
Left to Right: Matiu Boynton Rata, Te Kurahuia, Raureti Ormond, Te Ohorere Williams, Mana Waiariki
Captured by Jinki Cambronero.
This is a call out to Māori Performing Artists and Indigenous-led arts groups/companies locally, across the motu and over in Australia or the Pacific to apply for a nohonga at tō tātou whare a Te Pou. With support from Creative New Zealand, we’re able to bring this programme back for another year to provide artists with creative development support to explore ideas and develop a new, bold and exciting performance based work. Residency support includes time, resources, space and the tautoko of the Te Pou whānau.
There are three residencies available in 2027, we’re able to offer residencies for local, national and International (Australia/Pacific) based artists. These Nohonga are an opportunity for artists to workshop a new concept, refine a scripted work, trial a design concept or dream up a new performance based work. The key outcome of the residency is supporting the development of new whakaari and our Māori creative community.
Key Dates for Local & National Residencies
Applications Open: Thursday 5 November 2026
Applications Close: Sunday 13 December 2026, 11:59pm
Notification of Outcome: By Friday 22 January 2027
Delivery of Local Residency: By March 2027
Delivery of National Residency: By May 2027
Key Dates for International (Australia/Pacific) Residency
Applications Open: Monday 17 May 2027
Applications Close: Sunday 20 June 2027, 11:59pm
Notification of Outcome: By end of July 2027
Delivery of International Residency: By September 2027
(Within these time frames, there is flexibility around dates, availability and what best suits the project.)
Ehetere Rua captured by Yin Chi Lee at 2026 Nohonga Residency Showing of Sheldon Rua.
2026 Nohonga Resident – Anatonio Te Maioha.
Captured by Julie Zhu.
2026 Nohonga Resident – Nī Dekkers Reihana (middle) pictured with collaborators; Sean Rivera & Grace Newton. Captured by Jinki Cambronero.
2026 Nohonga Resident – Brydie Colquhoun & collaborator Tyler Wilson-Kokiri in motion during residency showing.
Captured by Jinki Cambronero.
What does the Local & National Residency include?
1 x Nohonga – Local Māori artist/s based in Tāmaki Makaurau
1 x Nohonga – National Māori artist/s based outside of Tāmaki Makaurau
What does the International Residency include?
1 x Nohonga – International Indigenous exchange artist/s (max 2 artists) based outside of Aotearoa NZ
Who can apply?
The Creative Residency is specifically for Māori creative practitioners and independent Indigenous-led arts companies or collectives in Australia or the Pacific. We welcome applications from artists across all stages of their careers. The residency is Tāmaki Makaurau based. We have a travel and accommodation budget for up to four (4) artists: 2 x national, 2 x international artists based in Australia or the Pacific.
When do the residencies need to happen?
These residencies need to be delivered between March to September 2027 (local by March, national by May and international by September) . Within this time frame, there is flexibility around dates, availability and what best suits the project.
How will projects be selected?
Projects will be selected by Te Pou Theatre Creative Leads Amber Curreen & Tainui Tukiwaho, with an external panel expanding depending on the number of tono received. Shortlisted applications might require an interview to discuss your project.
How many projects will be selected?
3 projects will be selected.
How do I apply?
Submit your application here with this form.
More questions?
Send them over to Marianne Infante marianne@tepoutheatre.nz or Amber Curreen amber@tepoutheatre.nz
When are applications due?
Round 1 (Local and National)
Application Open: Thursday 5 November 2026
Application Close: Sunday 13 December 2026, 11:59pm. Notifications of outcome at the end of Jan 2027.
Round 2 (International – Australia/Pacific)
Application Open: Monday 17 May 2027
Application Close: Sunday 20 June 2027, 11:59pm. Notifications of outcome at the end of July 2027.
E mihi ana ki ngā kaiwhakaahua for our 2026 Nohonga Residencies – John Rata, Jinki Cambronero, Yin Chi Lee & Julie Zhu.
This programme is supported by Creative New Zealand through their Residencies Internships & Fellowships Fund.
